A chilling warning has emerged for backpackers after a young tourist died and at least 10 others were hospitalised after a suspected mass poisoning at a budget hostel in Bali.
The incident occurred at Clandestino Hostel in Canggu, where travellers reported falling violently ill following a communal dinner.
Chinese tourist Deqing Zhuoga collapsed with severe vomiting and chills at the $9-a-night accommodation.
The 25-year-old was later found unresponsive in her bunk and pronounced dead on September 2. According to the Daily Mail, she was found semi-naked, in only an unbuttoned blue shirt.
Her friend, Leila Li, who shared the room, was among those hospitalised, spending five days in intensive care.
She only discovered Ms Zhuoga had died after being discharged.
“She was too sick to move or call for help, lying in her bunk vomiting for hours while other guests scrambled for assistance,” Ms Li told the Daily Mail.
“I managed to ask for help and got taken to a medical centre three times and then they called an ambulance for me.
“I asked them to get a doctor and when I got to the hospital I messaged her to go in too, but I never got a reply.”
Ms Li, along with other guests, including German travellers Melanie Irene and Alisa Kokonozi, Saudi national Alahmadi Yousef Mohammed, Filipino guest Cana Clifford Jay and another Chinese tourist Leslie Zhao, were later named as victims in the official Kuta Police report.
Inspector Ahmad confirmed that, due to the number of guests reporting identical symptoms, further investigation of the hostel would be carried out.
Ms Li also tragically learnt her friend had been alone when she passed away.
According to Badung Police investigation chief, the hostel’s receptionist, Maria Gores, checked on Ms Zhuoga shortly before her shift ended at midnight and became alarmed by her condition.
Ms Gores called security to help lift her into a taxi and accompanied her to a nearby clinic.
“The doctor provided initial treatment but, due to lack of funds, only prescribed medication,” Inspector Ahmad said.
“They bought the medicine from a nearby pharmacy and returned to the hostel.”
Ms Zhuoga was back in her bunk by 1.30am, but the next morning, receptionist Eka Ayu realised she had not checked out.
“She knocked on the door. After unlocking it, she found the victim lying face down,” Inspector Ahmad said.
“The manager checked for a pulse but there was no breathing.”
The official cause of death was recorded as acute gastroenteritis and hypovolaemic shock, but the true origin of the poisoning remains unconfirmed.
Ms Li alleges that her test results pointed to a more sinister cause: “My attending doctor has confirmed it was pesticide poisoning and food poisoning.”
She also claims that the previous night she saw an adjacent room closed off and quarantined after a bedbug fumigation.
This accusation is supported by reports from other guests. Tourist Leslie Zhao, 29, checked in just hours after hospitalisations began, and said she “almost died” after vomiting and fainting for more than seven hours, and when she called staff for help, “no one came.”
More than 20 people reportedly fell ill during the outbreak, with at least ten in critical condition, and multiple guests believe there may be a cover-up.
“They are trying to cover it up and I just want to warn people so this does not happen to anyone else,” Ms Li said.
Online reviews show that concerns about bedbugs at the hostel predate the poisoning.
One guest from July wrote: “My only complaint would be the fact that the front desk was not honest about the bed bug infestation — I overheard cleaners talking about it when they came into my empty room early in the morning.”
Clandestino staff told news.com.authat they “have been fully co-operating from the very beginning, and hope that everything can be clarified and resolved as soon as possible.”
“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected, and we are doing everything we can to support the process,” a spokesperson said.
“This has been an extremely difficult and delicate situation for everyone involved. At this time, the case is still under investigation by the local authorities.”
But an October review from a guest argued staff are “carrying on like it’s normal.”
“This place needs to be shut down,” they wrote.
“A woman literally died … how does this place still exist.”
Bali remains one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations — with roughly 1.5 million Aussies visiting Bali in 2024, making up nearly a quarter of all international arrivals to the island.
But that doesn’t mean it’s always safe. In a separate and deeply disturbing case, 23-year-old Queensland man Byron Haddow died in Bali, only for his body to be returned to Australia without his heart.
His family has raised grave questions about the handling of his death, and a coronial investigation is underway.
So while millions of Australians travel to Bali each year without incident, reports like these — involving illness, possible poisoning, and fatal outcomes — serve as a stark reminder.
If you’re planning to stay in a hostel, research reviews carefully and don’t ignore any red flags.
