Chinese Woman Dies in Suspected Mass Poisoning at Bali Hostel Amid Bed Bug Complaints
A tragic incident unfolded in Bali’s Canggu coastal village as a 24-year-old Chinese tourist, Deqing Zhuoga, lost her life in a suspected mass poisoning at a budget hostel notorious for recent bed bug complaints. The event has left multiple foreign guests critically ill and raised serious concerns about hostel safety measures.
Incident Details
On September 2, 2025, staff at Clandestino Hostel, which charges approximately US$9 per night, discovered Zhuoga unresponsive in her dormitory room. Despite attempts to revive her, she was pronounced dead around 11 a.m. The hostel, a popular choice among budget travelers in Bali, became the center of a disturbing incident that began days earlier.
Earlier, after a communal dinner in late August, numerous hostel guests began experiencing severe symptoms, including collapsing in hallways, vomiting blood, and desperately seeking medical assistance. Reports indicate that over 20 guests suffered from what authorities suspect to be a collective poisoning event. At least ten were admitted to hospitals in critical condition.
Victims and Hospitalization
Among those affected was Leila Li, a friend of Zhuoga, who was hospitalized in an intensive care unit for five days but has since recovered. Other identified victims include German travelers Melanie Irene and Alisa Kokonozi, Saudi national Alahmadi Yousef Mohammed, Filipino guest Cana Clifford Jay, and another Chinese tourist, Leslie Zhao.
Li recalled from the hospital messaging Zhuoga and urging her to seek help, but Zhuoga never responded. According to reports, Zhuoga became violently ill on August 31, unable to move or summon aid, lying in her bunk for hours vomiting as other guests rushed to find assistance.
Hostel’s Response and Medical Treatment
The hostel receptionist on duty, Maria Gores, checked on Zhuoga early September 1 and, alarmed by her condition, called security to escort her to a nearby clinic. However, the attending doctor provided only basic treatment and prescribed medication due to financial constraints. Zhuoga declined further treatment at the clinic because of high costs and returned to the hostel, purchasing medication at a pharmacy.
By the early hours of September 2, Zhuoga was back in her bunk. She was found deceased later that morning, having been alone at the time of death. Medical examinations indicated acute gastroenteritis and hypovolaemic shock as immediate causes of death, though the exact origin of the poisoning remains undetermined.
Investigations and Autopsy
Post-mortem analysis revealed the absence of pesticides, narcotics, cyanide, heavy metals such as arsenic, hazardous chemicals, or methanol in Zhuoga’s vomit. The autopsy confirmed symptoms consistent with food poisoning. Authorities are continuing investigations, but no definitive cause has been publicly declared.
Family and Friends’ Outrage
Zhuoga’s family in China only became aware of her critical illness after failing to contact her since August 31. Language barriers and misinformation hampered efforts to locate her. After a cousin posted appeals on social media and traced her last known location to the hostel, the family sought information. However, the hostel reportedly failed to promptly communicate the situation to the family or provide assistance, directing inquiries instead to the police.
Further complications arose because the hostel had incorrectly reported Zhuoga’s nationality, delaying embassy involvement. The family eventually enlisted local assistance to confirm Zhuoga’s passing and to track the handling of her remains, which had been moved between morgues multiple times.
Bed Bug Infestation Concerns
This poisoning incident follows closely after the hostel underwent fumigation for a bed bug outbreak that had elicited months of online complaints from guests. The Clandestino management stated that they have been cooperating fully with authorities and are committed to clarifying and resolving the issue. They expressed condolences to all affected and acknowledged the delicacy of the ongoing investigation.
Current Status
Local authorities continue to investigate the suspected mass poisoning, while the international community watches closely due to the involvement of several foreign nationals. Health experts are urging travelers to exercise caution and to seek immediate medical help when experiencing unusual symptoms.
This heartbreaking event underscores the critical importance of hygiene standards, transparent communication, and adequate healthcare support in tourist accommodations, especially those catering to budget travelers in popular destinations like Bali.
Add a comment