Map shows sad truth about Australia
A new map that shows the deadliest countries in the world for foreign tourists proves that Australia may be more dangerous than what most visitors think.
Published by The Sun in the UK, the map shows the countries where the most young British travellers have died while abroad due to accidents, mysterious circumstances and suicides.
Image credit: The Sun
Spain came out as the deadliest country on the list for tourists under 40 years old last year, with 49 deaths.
Australia followed behind at 27 deaths. Among those fatalities includes the British family-of-five who died in Sydney after a seaplane crash on New Year’s Eve.
When the plane crashed, Richard Cousins, his fiancée Emma Bowden, her 11-year-old daughter Heather, and his sons, Ed and William, all died.
Last year, 20-year-old British backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung was allegedly stabbed in a Queensland hostel. Her mother then urged the Australian government to take action and improve the protection for young travellers in Australia.
Although Australia is ranked high on the list, the UK government’s travel site explains that Australia poses no extra risk to visitors.
“The level of crime is no higher than in the UK,” the site reads.
However, British tourists visiting Australia are warned of deadly animals, drownings, fatal snorkelling and the sheer vastness of nature.
Although Spain had the highest number total of deaths, the country also attracted nearly 13 million UK visitors last year.
Cambodia and Thailand had the highest rate of deaths per head of annual British visitors with Thailand having 6 per 100,000 dying and Cambodia having 8 per 100,000 dying.
Last week, families of “murdered” tourists warned travellers to stay away from Koh Tao, which has now been dubbed as “Death Island”.
The picturesque island which attracted crowds for its party scene, is now allegedly ruled by the mafia.
Backpacker Natalie Jade Seymour was one of 11 young Brits who died in Thailand last year. Her body was discovered in Kampot resort after she complained of a bad stomach ache. It is believed she may have taken dodgy medicine.