Latest news with #touristdeaths
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Spate of tragedies at Spanish ‘Death Hotel' Ibiza Rocks laid bare after deaths of at least 7 tourists including Brits
A POPULAR hotel in Spain has gained unwanted global attention after a spate of tragic tourist deaths - including two Brits in the last month. At least seven holidaymakers have lost their lives at the now infamous Ibiza Rocks party resort which has been labelled as the "Death Hotel". 10 10 10 San Antonio's Ibiza Rocks had been known as one of the Spanish island's most beloved spots for partygoers. For two decades, some of the biggest events of the summer have taken place at the huge poolside area. Huge DJs and celebrities have welcomed in thousands of guests to the star-studded pool parties up until this year. A spate of recent deaths, including Brits Evan Thomson, 26, and Gary Kelly, 19, has caused all of the upcoming events to be paused. The venue announced their decision in a statement which came just hours after the death of Kelly. The teenage ice hockey star lost his life after falling from a third floor balcony at Ibiza Rocks in the early hours of the morning. Two ambulances were sent to the scene but there was nothing the paramedics could do to save him. The statement from Ibiza Rocks posted on their social media pages read: "The safety and wellbeing of our guests has, and always will remain, our highest priority. "Given the seriousness of the situation and out of respect for those involved, we believe it is right to pause our advertised events programme at this time." Just two weeks earlier, fellow Brit Thomson also died in similar tragic circumstances. He was on holiday with pals celebrating his birthday at the hotel when he plunged from the sixth-floor to his death. There has been no suggestion the hotel is responsible for any of the deaths. But the Aberdeen lad's family were quick to call out the hotel for their response to his death. They claimed the hotel's handling of the situation was "horrific". Evan's friend Blair Robertson, 25, said: "We heard the jet washes from the ground cleaning the area where Evan died and it had only been 90 minutes or so since he was found. "That was the worst thing for us to hear – how fast they tried to get things back to normal." His other friend James Shand told Press and Journal: "Seeing them post 'are you all ready for the next event?' within hours of it happening was sickening. "If something like this happened in the UK, the place would get shut down." 10 10 As police continue to investigate both of the young Brit's deaths, a worrying number of other tragedies at the hotel have been revealed. Ibizan outlet Noudiari even reported that the "latest incident adds to a worrying statistic that has led some people to refer to Ibiza Rocks as the "Death Hotel'." Two deaths rocked Ibiza in April when a British woman collapsed and died in her room. Paramedics and police rushed to the hotel but pronounced the 33-year-old dead after 40 minutes trying to resuscitate her. The woman reportedly had a cardioverter defibrillator implant which helped to monitor her heartbeat and treat abnormal heart rhythms. Just three days earlier, a 19-year-old Italian tourist died after she fell from the fourth-floor of the hotel. The woman is said to have been partying late into the night before returning to her room and finding she was locked out. She then decided to try and access her room via a balcony, according to local media. The teen lost her footing and fell to her death. In a statement afterwards, Ibiza Rocks Hotel said: "Following the tragic events that occurred this week due to causes beyond our control, IRG expresses its dismay and extends its utmost support to the families of the victims, thanking people for respect for their privacy in a situation of immeasurable pain." 10 In August 2020, another incident saw a young woman pass away in her sleep as she stayed at the hotel. Amy Connor, 23, had been sunbathing with her sister and their friends before heading back to her room to shower and have a nap. Her friends found her unconscious in bed a short time later. Heartbroken sister Toni has always praised the hotel for how they handled the situation. She said they offered the group help with everything from flights home to even paying for extra cases to help them feel comfortable. One of the most notable deaths linked to the hotel came in 2014. The final minutes of former rugby player Luke Rhoden's life were steeped in mystery for years after his family announced his passing. Rhoden, 25, died on September 2, with police initially saying he fell from a first-floor balcony before running through the hotel screaming "someone's trying to kill me". The Spanish Civil Guard managed to subdue the athlete by giving him a sedative and placed him in an ambulance. He then died at the scene as paramedics spent 40 minutes trying to revive him. But theories soon emerged that Rhoden's death may have been caused by the officers as they tried to restrain him. Dad Norman would call for an investigation after reading reports his son was "excessively beaten" on social media. An inquest was launched in Bolton as a jury found he died of asphyxiation caused by the excessive restraining methods adopted by the Guardia Civil and an adverse reaction to drug use. Ibiza Rocks was at the centre of the police probe for weeks but staff were later praised by cops after a woman filmed the altercation. The seventh reported death at Ibiza Rocks dates back to 2008. British holidaymaker Michael Robertson, 23, collapsed at the hotel after taking ecstasy. He was rushed to the Can Misses Hospital but passed away suffering repeated heart failure.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- BBC News
Laos hostel linked to methanol deaths set to reopen
A backpackers' hostel linked to the deaths of six tourists is set to reopen under a new Clarke and her friend Simone White, who later died, fell ill after drinking free vodka shots in the town of Vang Vieng last suspected their drinks at the Nana Backpacker Hostel were laced with methanol - a deadly substance linked to bootleg Newsbeat has found evidence the hostel is due to reopen at the same address in August. Bethany believes the same management is still in charge. Bethany says she and Simone, from London, became unwell a day after being offered drinks at the Nana initially mistook symptoms for food poisoning but were eventually taken to recovered but Simone, 28, died several days later, as did five other tourists from Australia, Denmark and the US. 'Unbelievable' The owners of the Nana hostel denied serving illicit alcohol but it has remained closed since the a listing for Vang Vieng Central Backpacker Hostel - taking bookings from 23 August this year - has appeared on travel websites Tripadvisor and Agoda.A link that previously took users to the Nana hostel's page redirects them to the amended showing the Nana Backpacker Hostel name painted on a sign and printed on menus remain on the page, as well as guest reviews naming the former confirmed to Newsbeat the hostel was reopening with a new concerned that the new business is being run by the same people it was before."I'm shocked. If it's the same management or ownership involved, I wouldn't trust them."It's just unbelievable because we know that was where we were poisoned."A Tripadvisor spokesperson said old photos and reviews could be deleted if it was informed of a change in ownership, although it's not a requirement. There is further evidence to suggest the Vang Vieng hostel and the Nana hostel are linked. Building work is currently being carried out at the address, according to travellers staying in the Frankie, who shared photos of the site with Newsbeat, says there was "building equipment everywhere" when she walked past on Tuesday."They're clearly refurbishing it," she says. In one photo, showing a sign reading Vang Vieng Central Backpacker Hostel, a phone number is same number appears in messages, seen by Newsbeat, sent between Bethany and staff at the Nana hostel. When a reporter called the number, the person who answered hung calls and messages, including those from BBC colleagues based in the region, were blocked. Frankie, 23, says it's "horrendous" to think the business could "carry on like normal". "[Vang Vieng] is kind of empty in terms of backpackers. People are drinking, but it feels a bit eerie and quiet."Frankie says people she's met on her travels are well aware of the methanol poisonings last year. "A lot of the backpackers we've met have mentioned the name of Nana hostel. There's definitely an awareness about it,' she adds the name change makes her "very uneasy" and she'll tell her friends about it when they travel to the country. Bethany, who previously called for more education on the dangers of drinking abroad, says she wants to warn others."I was not completely convinced we would end up getting justice for Simone and the other victims, so I thought the best thing I can do is to try and educate the younger generation."And while she waits to find out whether anyone will face action over Simone's death, what little hope she had for answers is starting to fade. In November, authorities in Laos promised an investigation into the deaths of Simone and Australians Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, both from Denmark, and US national James Louis Hutson, workers, including the manager of the Nana hostel, were detained for questioning by police. The manager denied any responsibility, saying hundreds of guests had been given shots without becoming shared a recent email sent by the UK Foreign Office stating that authorities in Laos had proposed charges against 13 people over food safety has seen an email from the Australian government with the same update and has approached its foreign office for comment. A Foreign Office spokesperson declined to comment on the email but confirmed the UK government was in contact with authorities in Laos and supporting the family of a British woman who died in the country. Newsbeat has contacted Agoda for comment. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Daily Mail
'Appalling' twist in methanol deaths of Melbourne teenagers - as their parents speak out
The families of two teenage girls who died from methanol poisoning while on a holiday in Laos have slammed a development in their case as 'appalling'. Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19, died after a night out in the party town of Vang Viang, a small village north of Laos' capital Vientiane in November last year. The pair were staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel and accidentally consumed methanol after they drank free shots of vodka and whiskey that were handed out. The teens, both from Beumaris in Melbourne 's southeast, were among six foreign tourists to die due to the mass methanol poisoning event. Miss Jones and Miss Bowles were rushed to separate Thai hospitals after asking staff for help on November 13. Miss Jones died in Udon Thani hospital the next day, while Miss Bowles died in nearby Bangkok Hospital two days later. Four foreign tourists from Denmark, the UK and the US also died, while a further 14 tourists who had been drinking in the area developed methanol poisoning within days of each other. Now, nearly six months later, up to 13 people connected to the deaths may finally face charges, according to a report by 60 Minutes. The families were notified by email from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) just 10 days ago that charges had been laid. Local police reportedly recommended charges against 13 people from Nana's Hostel and the Tiger distillery. The proposed charges include violation of food and health security, unlawful business operations and elimination of evidence. Mrs Jones and Mrs Bowles criticised the recommended charges as weak 'Pretty appalling, I'd say pretty insulting,' Mrs Bowles told 60 Minutes. Mrs Jones added: 'I think we're pretty furious about it … Food and beverage. You know, that's like? What is that? We don't even know.' 'We know that there's no murder or manslaughter charges, which we feel there should be.' The mothers said they feel as though those allegedly involved would only get a 'slap on the wrist' in the form of a fine if they are found guilty. They also slammed the Laos government, claiming authorities 'don't care' and that the lives of their daughters meant 'nothing'. The government of Laos conveyed its 'deep condolences to the teenagers' family via the email sent to Mrs Jones and Mrs Bowles from DFAT. The email it explains the Ambassador was informed prosecutors were compiling a case to present to the court and that an 'outcome was expected soon'. However, DFAT was not provided with a timeframe of when the trial might occur. 'We do not have visibility as to whether the prosecutors will proceed with all the recommended charges,' the email read. Staff at Nana Backpackers vehemently denied they added anything to the shots of Tiger Vodka that had been given away for free as part of the hostel's happy hour deal between 8pm and 10pm. Nana Backpackers Hostel owner Duong Duc Toan, who was reportedly among 'a number of people' detained by police for questioning. Mr Toan said his bar was not responsible for the mass poisoning and insisted alcohol was bought from legitimate sellers and even drank from a bottle to 'prove it was safe'. Methanol is a colourless liquid that tastes similar to alcohol and is a byproduct of bootlegged liquor. Nana Backpackers Hostel owner Duong Duc Toan (pictured) has vehemently denied the shots given to the girls during the bar's happy hour were responsible for their deaths Consuming even a small amount can lead to blindness, multiple organ failure and death. Miss Jones and Miss Bowles' families have since campaigned for methanol poisoning awareness and have raised money for a charity in their daughters' names.
