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Tourist hostel deaths 'unlawful' Tourist hostel deaths 'unlawful'
(about 1 hour later)
Six British backpackers who died along with nine others in a fire at an Australian hostel were unlawfully killed, an inquest has found. Six British backpackers who died along with nine other tourists in a fire at an Australian hostel were unlawfully killed, an inquest has found.
The travellers died in June 2000 at the Palace Backpackers' Hostel, Childers - 180 miles north of Brisbane.The travellers died in June 2000 at the Palace Backpackers' Hostel, Childers - 180 miles north of Brisbane.
The inquest at Flax Bourton Coroner's Court, near Bristol, follows an inquest in Australia last year. Bristol Coroner Brian Whitehouse told the victims' parents their children's deaths were a "tragedy".
Fruit picker Robert Long was jailed in March 2002 and is serving a life sentence for murder and arson.Fruit picker Robert Long was jailed in March 2002 and is serving a life sentence for murder and arson.
But investigators also found a series of safety breaches at the 100-year-old timber building that made it harder for residents to flee.But investigators also found a series of safety breaches at the 100-year-old timber building that made it harder for residents to flee.
The inquest at Flax Bourton Coroner's Court, near Bristol, followed an inquest in Australia last year.
The UK inquest was heard by the Deputy Coroner for Avon, Brian Whitehouse.The UK inquest was heard by the Deputy Coroner for Avon, Brian Whitehouse.
No Australian witnesses gave evidence in person at the hearing. A seventh backpacker from the UK - Melissa Smith, 26, from Thatcham, Berkshire - was not one of the cases heard on Thursday.
Her inquest, which reached an open verdict, was held in 2000.
No Australian witnesses gave evidence in person at the hearing for the other six victims.
An Australian inquest had been told that escape exits were blocked, windows were barred or painted shut and the main fire alarm was out of order.An Australian inquest had been told that escape exits were blocked, windows were barred or painted shut and the main fire alarm was out of order.
The hostel was destroyed in the arson attack in 2000The hostel was destroyed in the arson attack in 2000
The hostel was also well over its occupancy limit, with 87 people staying there instead of the legal maximum of 53.The hostel was also well over its occupancy limit, with 87 people staying there instead of the legal maximum of 53.
Despite this, the Queensland coroner ruled that the managers of the hostel, John Dobe and Christian Atkinson, were not so negligent that they should face manslaughter charges.Despite this, the Queensland coroner ruled that the managers of the hostel, John Dobe and Christian Atkinson, were not so negligent that they should face manslaughter charges.
And neither was questioned after successfully claiming that any evidence they did give might incriminate them.And neither was questioned after successfully claiming that any evidence they did give might incriminate them.
'Let down''Let down'
Natalie Morris, 28, from Cefn Coed, south Wales, was one of those killed.Natalie Morris, 28, from Cefn Coed, south Wales, was one of those killed.
Her father Ken said he felt let down by the Australian investigation, adding: "One of the things that we wanted out of this was justice for our youngsters."Her father Ken said he felt let down by the Australian investigation, adding: "One of the things that we wanted out of this was justice for our youngsters."
As well as Ms Morris, the inquest also examined the deaths of Gary Sutton, 24, from Bath, Sarah Williams, 23, from Aberfan, south Wales, Michael Lewis, 25, from Bristol, Adam Rowland, 19, from St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, and Claire Webb, 24, from Ascot, Berkshire.As well as Ms Morris, the inquest also examined the deaths of Gary Sutton, 24, from Bath, Sarah Williams, 23, from Aberfan, south Wales, Michael Lewis, 25, from Bristol, Adam Rowland, 19, from St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, and Claire Webb, 24, from Ascot, Berkshire.
Irish national Julie O Keefe, 24, was also killed, along with four Australian, two Dutch, one Japanese and one South Korean backpacker.Irish national Julie O Keefe, 24, was also killed, along with four Australian, two Dutch, one Japanese and one South Korean backpacker.
Every year, thousands of tourists go to Childers to take up short-term work on fruit farms and sugar plantations to fund their travels.Every year, thousands of tourists go to Childers to take up short-term work on fruit farms and sugar plantations to fund their travels.