World’s deadliest holiday destinations for Australian tourists

MORE than 20 Australians die on foreign soil every week, but there’s one country that’s by far the most dangerous for those heading abroad.

Noelene Bischoff and daughter Yvana, 14, died in Bali from suspected food poisoning.

MORE than 100 Australians died overseas every month over the past year – some in the most extraordinary ­circumstances.

Aussies are great travellers, but for more than 20 every week, their dream trip turns into a one-way ticket to tragedy.

Latest figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade show officials assisted the next of kin of 1225 Australians who died in other countries in 2013-14, just down on the 1247 cases in the previous year.

TO SEE WHERE AUSSIE TOURISTS DIED, CLICK ON THE MAP BELOW

Thailand tops the list of deadly destinations, with 120 fatalities – nearly double the next highest locations, Indonesia and Vietnam.

The reason was the “sheer numbers” of Australians travelling there, DFAT Consular and Crisis Management Division first assistant secretary Justin Brown said.

“The number of people coming through Bangkok and Thai holiday spots is very high. And of course, people go to Thailand to retire,” he said.

Overall, Mr Brown said, “The causes of death vary but are similar to those in Australia. Most result from natural causes.”

That was the case for Antony Kidman, father of movie star Nicole. The 75-year-old suffered a heart attack while in Singapore visiting youngest daughter Antonia.

But there have been a series of headline-grabbing fatalities involving Australians around the globe over the past few months – involving everything from avalanches and leaps from mountain peaks to monster waves and drone strikes.

In January, Sunshine Coast nurse Noelene Bischoff, 54, and her daughter Yvana, 14, died from suspected food poisoning within 24 hours of beginning their holiday in Bali.

Geoff Moase, from the Gold Coast, died on Lombok.

The past month has brought the deaths of two Aussie surfers – Noosa man Peter Maynard, 45, on Nusa Lembongan island, and Geoff Moase, 54, from the Gold Coast, on Lombok.

A 33-year-old Queenslander became another casualty last month when he plunged to his death from a 2600m peak in the French Alps in a BASE-jumping accident. His name has not been released.

Earlier this month, Victorian surfer Peter Luke was killed while riding five-metre waves in Indonesia.

Queenslander Nick Heyward was murdered in Argentina.

Queenslander Nick Heyward was beginning to make plans to return home after a year-long adventure in Central and South America when he was murdered in Argentina in April. The 31-year-old physiotherapy graduate was gunned down by a pair of would-be robbers.

Within days, millionaire South Australian businessman Oliver Gobat was identified as the victim of a gruesome killing on the tropical island of St Lucia. The 38-year-old – who had beaten cancer as a teen and survived a serious speedboat accident – had been shot twice in the head before being doused with fuel and set on fire.

Mary and Rod Burrows were aboard Flight MH370.

Aussies have been caught up in some of the world’s major disasters of recent times. Queensland couples Rod and Mary Burrows and their close friends Bob and Cathy Lawton are among those who vanished in the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 mystery, along with Yuan Li and Najun Gu from Sydney.

And the 298 victims of flight MH17, downed in a suspected missile attack, included 38 Aussies. Mr Brown said it was “a terrible tragedy” and while there was little DFAT could advise in relation to such incidents, travellers could do their homework on the routes operated by various airlines.

When Typhoon Haiyan – one of the most powerful storms ever recorded on the planet – tore through the Philippines, at least two Australians were victims.

Townsville man Christopher Harvard was killed in the Middle East in a drone strike.

The most bizarre deaths include that of north Queenslander Christopher Harvard – one of five people killed in an attack by a US military drone.

Counter-terrorism sources claim his group were “foot soldiers” for al-Qa’ida Muslim extremists.

But Mr Harvard’s family say he went to the Middle East to be involved in charity work and teaching English.

Meanwhile, at least eight Australians have died in the bitter fighting in Syria. They include Queensland-raised couple Yusuf Ali and Amira Karroum.

“Syria has been a concern,’’ Mr Brown said.

“It is on the public record that some Australians have travelled to that country to involve themselves in that conflict and that some have died. Australians should not travel overseas to any conflict.

“Our ability to provide (consular) help in a place like Syria is zero.”

While many deaths from illness or accidents may be unpreventable, DFAT says too many people still take unnecessary risks when travelling.

And they warn that the shock of losing a relative overseas is often compounded by the unexpected costs that result.

“Travel insurance that covers costs incurred as a result of death overseas can significantly reduce the stress on loved ones,” Mr Brown said.

“Ensure that your policy covers all medical expenses for illness, injury or death overseas, including medical evacuation or the return of your remains to Australia.”

Anyone planning an overseas trip should research their likely destinations on the smartraveller.gov.au website