Report suggests Bali deathly location for Aussies

VIKTORIA BALANZATEGUI 

Information released by the Department of Foreign Affairs have confirmed that on average one Australian dies every nine days in Bali.

The resort island of Bali, Indonesia is one of the top holidaying destinations in the world owing to its paradise beaches and affordability.

Around 790,000 Australia’s visited Bali last year but not all returned safely home with statistics revealing 39 Australians died in Bali between 2011 and 2012.

A spokesman for DFAT said the most common reason for illness or hospitalisation in young Australians who travel to Bali related to injuries caused by motorbike accidents and nightclub fights.

Australian consular officials say many of these accidents resulted from fights fuelled by drugs and alcohol.

DFAT also released figures from 2011 to 2012, indicating 93 Australians received consular help after being taken to hospital.

Of these, 36 were arrested, 18 were jailed, and eight received further support after being attacked.

All arrests were male and who were detained for offences relating to drugs, domestic violence and theft.

Emirates flight attendant Lisa Davis said although she has only had positive experiences while in Bali, friends haven’t been so lucky with one being admitted to hospitalisation from a bar fight.

“Often scooter accidents can be avoided, as many foreigners do not wear helmets and drive drunk as the road rules are not as strict as they are here in Australia, also the conditions of the roads and the other drivers are extremely different to what we are used to,” she said.

“Many Australians often travel without insurance as they think they will be lucky to escape sickness or injury, but often this is not the case.

Ms Davis said although statistics suggest Bali can be a dangerous environment at times, it should not stop tourists from holidaying there.

“Such statistics revealing such a high death rate for Australians holidaying in Bali are shocking, but it is a beautiful place to visit and shouldn’t deter future tourists.”