<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The families of the two </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/melbourne" rel="" target="" title="Melbourne"><span>Melbourne</span></a><span> teenagers who died of methanol poisoning in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/laos" rel="" target="" title="Laos"><span>Laos</span></a><span> have slammed the less than $200 fine handed to each of the staff who served their deadly drinks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, 19, were killed when they were served alcohol laced with methanol at Nana Backpacker Hostel in Laos in November 2024.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The girls' fathers Shaun Bowles and Mark Jones say they were kept in the dark as a secret court case played out at The People's Court of Vang Vieng, Laos.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>EPSTEIN FILES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/jeffrey-epstein-not-running-sex-trafficking-ring-for-powerful-men-fbi-says/76bd71d2-d8db-409a-b732-57d0c8ba577c" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>FBI's shock verdict on Jeffery Epstein revealed</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The best word to describe it is disappointment," Mr Bowles said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For us not to be told they're going ahead is abhorrent," Mr Jones added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>On January 28, 10 people from Nana Hostel, where the drinks laced with methanol were served, were found guilty of destroying evidence.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/laos-methanol-poisoning-laos-nana-hostel-staff-fined/792d176b-d633-4d69-9bdd-c7669c0761b6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They each received a suspended sentence and a $185 fine.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The staff could now get exit visas to leave the country after a 20-day appeal period.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>No further charges will be laid in connection with Holly and Bianca's death, but a man from the distillery where the spirits were made could still face legal action.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"To think that the Laos authorities believe that those who were involved in killing our daughters is worth $185 is absolutely disgraceful," Mr Jones said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The families say they only found out about the judgment through other poisoning victims in the UK and Denmark, rather than the Australian government.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>HAPPENING NOW:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/israeli-president-visit-to-australia-huge-protests-expected/40b56f1b-3d34-4f03-bf25-282d4937abb0" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Israeli president labels Bondi massacre 'attack on Australians' during visit</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"As citizens of this country we expect the government to look after their people and get justice for their citizens when they go travelling," Mr Jones said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We can't get into the country. There's nothing more we can do. We need the government to do something because we are out of options," Mr Bowles added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a statement, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Department of Foreign Affairs has been in regular communication with the womens' families, updating them as recently as February 5.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I have made it clear to my Lao counterpart that Australia expects full accountability," Wong said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I have also made it clear that charges should reflect the seriousness of the tragedy which left six people dead including Holly and Bianca.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware that the Vang Vieng District Court sentenced individuals over the destruction of evidence in relation to the death of a US citizen."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We continue to press Lao authorities on the cases relating to Holly and Bianca's deaths, and we will continue to support Holly and Bianca's families at this distressing time."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The hostel has since reopened under a different name.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Six people died in that hotel and they just open it again? It's beyond comprehension," Mr Jones said, visibly upset.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But the grieving fathers conceded nothing will bring back Holly and Bianca who will be forever missed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We've got their 21st coming up this year, lots of milestones that come up, but we will continue to remember our beautiful girls," Mr Jones said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>