Haunting truth behind Bali hostel dorm room where Chinese tourist died
It was supposed to be the backpacking trip of a lifetime, but for this 25-year-old tourist, it ended in the worst way possible. New pics expose her final moments.
It was supposed to be the backpacking trip of a lifetime, but for 25-year-old Chinese tourist Deqing Zhuoga, a stay at a $9-a-night backpackers in Bali ended in the worst way possible.
In a first look inside the hostel since Ms Zhuoga took her last breath within Room 5, and where another 10 tourists were hospitalised after a suspected mass poisoning on September 2nd, news.com.au can reveal that the Clandestino Hostel is still trading despite the shocking events.
Stepping inside the hostel, bars and onsite food vendors were still selling food and drink to backpackers who know nothing about the tragedy that claimed a young life and is now the centre of a police investigation on the so-called Island of the Gods.
And that’s placing more tourists at risk, according to a legal expert in Bali.
“Considering the gravity of the incident — one fatality and multiple hospitalisations — a temporary shutdown would be a reasonable precautionary measure to prevent further risk to the public while the investigation proceeds,” Ni Luh Arie Ratna Sukasari, founding partner of Malekat Hukum International law firm, told News.com.au. “Allowing business activities to continue despite multiple hospitalisations exposes guests to potential ongoing risks.”
The story began on the morning of September 2, when Ms Zhuoga, a 25-year-old woman on her dream holiday in Bali, was found half-naked and unresponsive on her bunk bed at 11 AM. Ms Zhuoga was one of more than 20 guests who fell violently ill after sharing a communal meal at the hostel the previous evening - with at least 10 going to hospital.
But the tragedy did not make global headlines until earlier this week when another Chinese tourist who was also poisoned at the Clandestino Hostel spoke about her ordeal for the first time.
“I managed to ask for help and got taken to a medical centre. They called an ambulance for me,” the victim, identified as Ms Li, told The Daily Mail. “My attending doctor has confirmed it was pesticide poisoning and food poisoning.”
Clandestino Hostel has also been criticised by former guests for bedbug infestation, while Ms Li said she saw a room closed off after being fumigated for bed bugs.
The room where Zhuoga died alone in unimaginable agony at Clandestino Hostel is currently being quarantined; the door is covered from top to bottom with black plastic.
But apart from that, it’s business as usual – much to the chagrin of a 29-year-old tourist from the US who knew nothing about the tragedy until she heard about it from News.com.au – and who had only just eaten breakfast there.
“No way. You’re lying. When did this happen?” said the woman called Janette. “Oh sh#t. I had no idea. I feel a little sh#t now after hearing that. I just had a smoothie. Will I be all right?”
Two other tourists, Teneesha and Maria from the UK, said that they had only learned about it the previous evening. “We just found out yesterday and it made us really paranoid,” Teneesha said. Added her friend: “We’re checking out now, but that was always our plan. It’s been fine for us here. No bed bugs.”
News.com.au can confirm that the dorm rooms, beds and bathrooms at Clandestino Hostel do now appear sufficiently clean. However, most of the beds were empty. During our visit on Wednesday we saw only four guests, including the two girls who were leaving.
“We are not very busy,” said Sinta, a Balinese lady at the desk, refusing to comment further. “Now this is under the police investigation, so about everything, if you need more information, you can speak to them.”
Police stations across Bali were closed yesterday for the Galungan Day public holiday, a holy date on the Balinese Hindu calendar. Police have however told the Daily Mail they are investigating the mass food-poisoning event but have not said if charges will be laid over Zhuoga’s death.
Sukasari of Malekat Hukum law firm believes charges of homicide are “unlikely unless there is clear evidence of deliberate wrongdoing.”
Sukasari was also scathing about the lack of progress in the investigation, which has been ongoing for more than two and a half months: “While delays are common in such cases, the seriousness of the incident necessitates a comprehensive and transparent investigation, and the public is justified in expecting clarity from the authorities.”
She added that tourists who believe they were poisoned in Bali can pursue compensation for damages through the civil courts or BPSK, Indonesia’s consumer protection agency. “These avenues remain available even if the affected tourist has already left Indonesia,” she said.
Mass food-poisoning events common in Indonesia. Between January and November, 16,109 school kids fell violently ill after eating free meals provided under a national program spearheaded by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto — ironically to address poor childhood malnutrition rates.
