Canggu hostel under fire after tourist death and mass poisoning claims

Backpackers estimate as many as 20 travellers fell sick at Clandestino Hostel in Canggu. Photo / Google Maps

Backpackers are calling for a Bali hostel to be shut down after a tourist died and a dozen others were left critically ill after a round of fumigation to treat bedbugs.

The Chinese national fell sick during her stay at the Clandestino Hostel, in Canggu.

She was later found unresponsive in her bunk on September 2, the Daily Mail reports.

She was one of many travellers to report high fevers, vomiting and fainting after an August 31 communal dinner.

Fellow traveller Leila Li said the hostel should be shut down and investigated, estimating that of the 20 backpackers affected, half entered a critical condition.

Li spent five days in hospital after repeatedly asking staff to help her seek medical care.

“They are trying to cover it up and I just want to warn people so this does not happen to anyone else”, she said, claiming “even now people are still checking in and getting sick there”.

While Miss Y’s death has been attributed to acute gastroenteritis and hypovolemic shock, Li believes the “collective poisoning” is related to a recent round of fumigation.

She alleged treatment for a reported bedbug infestation had been used in the dorm rooms shortly before the dinner.

“I went to the medical centre three times and each time my condition improved, but when I went back to my room to rest the symptoms would reoccur,” she said.

“My attending doctor has confirmed it was pesticide poisoning and food poisoning.”

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Leslie Zhao checked in on September 1, the day after the dinner, and began to feel unwell that evening.

She said she had intermittently fainted and thrown up for seven hours before hostel staff called an ambulance for her - at her request.

“I am very lucky. If I did not wake up, the police might have found two bodies in this hostel.”

She said multiple tourists have tried to contact Booking.com and Agoda to have advertising for Clandestino removed, with no luck.

“We did our best and sent emails with our hospital letters, we provided a lot of evidence but they did not remove it from their listing.”

Clandestino staff have responded to complaints on review platform Hostel World, claiming the hostel is “fully co-operating” with police and health investigations.

“We are aware and very saddened by the recent incident and want to express our sincere condolences,” they wrote.

“We take this matter extremely seriously and have taken all necessary measures to support the investigation and ensure the continued safety and hygiene of our property.”

But an October review complained staff are “carrying on like it’s normal”, noting he had not even been aware of Miss Y’s death until he had checked out.

“This place needs to be shut down,” he wrote.