The West Australian exclusiveBali: Canggu’s Clandestino Hostel breaks silence after tourist found dead in bed, ten guests admitted to ICUTegwen BescobyPerthNowWed, 19 November 2025 11:08AMCommentsCommentsEmail Tegwen Bescoby
A popular Balinese hostel at the centre of a fatal mass illness scandal has broken its silence after a woman was found dead in her bed.
Clandestino Hostel in Canggu made headlines after a group of backpackers lodging at the accommodation became severely unwell on the premises in early September.
Ten people were rushed to hospital in critical condition, with another woman — a 25-year-old Chinese backpacker known as Ms Zhuoga — dying in her bed at the $14-a-night lodge.
Two months on from the fatal incident, Clandestino Hostel has revealed to PerthNow that police are still investigating the incident.
“This has been an extremely difficult and delicate situation for everyone involved,” a spokesperson for the accommodation said.
“At this time, the case is still under investigation by local authorities, which means we are not able to share specific details yet.
“I can say that we have been fully cooperative from the very beginning, and we hope that everything can be clarified and resolved as soon as possible.
“We are doing everything we can to support the process.”
Balinese police have stated their investigation has shown hostel staff checked on Mz Zhuoga’s condition the day before her passing, with the hostel receptionist becoming “alarmed” over the backpacker’s condition.
Badung Police First Inspector Azarul Ahmad said security staff put the 25-year-old into a taxi and accompanied her to a medical centre.
“The doctor provided initial treatment but due to a lack of funds (doctors) only prescribed medication,” Mr Ahmad said.
“They bought the medicine from a nearby pharmacy and returned with her to the hostel.”
The next day, staff found the backpacker deceased in her bed.
“The manager checked for a pulse, but there was no breathing,” Mr Ahmad said.
He revealed police found vomit in a rubbish bin beside her bed, and estimated she had been dead in her bed for between two and 12 hours.
She was found semi-naked, wearing only an unbuttoned blue shirt, according to DailyMail.
A post-mortem ruled her death was likely preventable with proper medical treatment.
Police investigations into the event continue.
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