Bali Hostel The Clandestino Denies Food Poisoning Link Following Tourist’s Death
In Bali, the investigation into the death of a Chinese tourist at The Clandestino hostel has taken a dramatic turn as staff at the budget party hostel dispute police claims that food poisoning caused the tragedy. The incident, which occurred on September 2, continues to haunt the now largely deserted venue, with lingering questions about what led to the death of 25-year-old Deqing Zhuoga and the subsequent illness of up to 20 other travelers.
Hostel Staff Reject Food Poisoning Theory
Workers at The Clandestino, a hostel known for its party atmosphere and $9-a-night accommodation, have publicly challenged police theories that contaminated food was responsible for the death and widespread sickness among guests. According to two anonymous receptionists, staff believe the incident involving Ms. Zhuoga was isolated rather than related to a communal meal that would have likely affected more guests if contaminated.
One staff member suggested Ms. Zhuoga may have arrived already ill, noting that she refused help from hostel employees after being taken to a nearby clinic following a decline in her condition. “Our friend tried to help her, to bring her to the hospital, even my friend wanted to stay to take care of her. She didn’t want to,” the staffer told news.com.au.
The tragic discovery of Ms. Zhuoga’s body was made the following morning when she was found lying face down in her room, wearing only an unbuttoned shirt and with vomit in a bin beside her bed.
Dispute Over Cause of Illness and Death
While friends and fellow travelers pointed to diagnoses of pesticide poisoning and food poisoning, police investigations have found no evidence of pesticides or other hazardous substances in the victim’s system. The head of the investigation unit at Badung Police, Azarul Ahmad, stated that tests conducted by the Denpasar Forensic Laboratory detected no pesticides, narcotics, cyanide, heavy metals, or hazardous chemicals in her vomit. Despite this, authorities have not ruled out death due to gastrointestinal irritation leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
The police have also indicated that initial medical treatment was limited due to a lack of funds and that Ms. Zhuoga returned to the hostel after receiving medication from a pharmacy.
Hostel’s Atmosphere and Response
Currently, The Clandestino hostel is described as a ghost town, with significantly fewer guests and a strong staff presence. Despite the tragedy, promotional materials remain on display, advertising themed party nights such as “Tattoo and Tequila Thursdays” and “Beer Pong Tournament Mondays.”
An official statement from the hostel expressed empathy for those affected but refrained from sharing specific details, citing ongoing investigations. “We have been fully cooperative from the very beginning, and we hope everything can be clarified and resolved as soon as possible,” the statement said.
Travellers’ Alarms and Online Reactions
In the aftermath, other travelers have raised concerns through social media and messaging groups about falling ill at the hostel. Messages circulating in a WhatsApp group used by former guests warned others to be cautious about the food, with some reporting severe illness.
Several individuals who stayed at the hostel around the time of Ms. Zhuoga’s death shared personal accounts of their own suffering, with one witness stating she was so unwell she needed a wheelchair at the airport after leaving Bali. Another TikTok user described intense pain and vomiting, sharing stories of what she described as a harrowing experience suddenly unfolding amid what had seemed a paradise vacation.
Continued Investigation
While police have provided some details, they have not definitively concluded the cause of Ms. Zhuoga’s death, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities continue to examine all possible factors to determine the exact circumstances behind the incident that shook Bali’s tourist community and raised serious safety concerns about one of its most popular low-cost hostels.
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