The hostel in Laos where six people, including two Australian teenagers, died from methanol poisoning is preparing to reopen under a new name. This comes nearly a year after the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 19-year-olds Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, who fell ill after consuming contaminated drinks at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng.

In November 2022, Morton-Bowles and Jones, along with four other tourists, were hospitalized after drinking alcohol believed to be laced with methanol. The two young women were later transferred to hospitals in Thailand, where they succumbed to their illnesses. The other victims included travelers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Denmark.

Following the incident, the Lao government expressed its condolences and promised to hold those responsible accountable. However, no charges have been filed, and the investigation has seen little progress. Eleven staff members from the hostel were detained, but all were released without charges. Reports indicate that some workers fled to Vietnam after the incident.

As the reopening approaches, the hostel has changed its name to Vang Vieng Central Backpacker Hostel. A sign indicating its closure has been removed, and renovations appear to be underway. A worker at the hostel mentioned they aim to reopen by the end of the month, although specific details remain unclear.

The families of the victims have voiced their outrage over the lack of accountability from Lao authorities. Morton-Bowles's parents, Shaun Bowles and Samantha Morton, criticized the slow response, stating, "It shouldn’t take 12 months to press some charges. It just shows you their apathy and really lack of transparency and lack of support."

Bianca Jones's father, Mark Jones, expressed his anger at the prospect of the hostel reopening, saying the family would be "beyond furious" if it happens. The families are calling for a boycott of Laos until a thorough investigation is conducted.

The dangers of methanol poisoning are well-documented, particularly in Southeast Asia, where unregulated distilleries produce cheap alcoholic beverages. Methanol is a toxic substance that can be fatal in small amounts, and its presence in drinks is often due to poor distillation practices.

In the wake of the tragedy, some survivors and family members have initiated campaigns to raise awareness about the risks associated with methanol. They argue that the hostel should be transformed into a memorial rather than reopening as a business.

As Vang Vieng enters its tourist high season, the community appears to be moving on from the tragedy, with little evidence of increased safety measures for visitors. Local bar and restaurant owners have reported no awareness campaigns regarding the dangers of methanol, and police have stated that the investigation has been referred to provincial authorities without further updates.

The reopening of the hostel has sparked a renewed call for justice from the families of the victims, who continue to seek answers and accountability for the deaths of their loved ones. They emphasize the need for greater safety measures to protect future travelers in the region.