Fiji: Seven people, including four Australian tourists, have been hospitalised in Fiji with suspected alcohol poisoning after reportedly consuming cocktails at a bar in the five-star Warwick Fiji resort.
Local health authorities conveyed that the affected individuals, aged between 18 and 56, included one American and two expatriates living in Fiji. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and neurological distress began shortly after the group consumed cocktails at the Coral Coast resort.
The individuals were initially treated at Sigatoka Hospital before being transferred to Lautoka Hospital for further care. Officials now convey all seven are in stable condition, though some were previously listed as seriously ill.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) conveyed that a 56-year-old Australian woman remains under close observation, while a 19-year-old Australian woman endured “serious medical episodes.” Two other Australian women, aged 49 and 18, were in crucial but less severe condition.
Two Australian families are receiving consular aid, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Meanwhile, New Zealand and UK officials authorised no requests for assistance have been received from their citizens.
The incident follows the recent deaths of six tourists in Laos due to suspected methanol poisoning in alcoholic beverages. Fiji tourism chief Brent Hill acknowledged the Laos incident but emphasised that Fiji’s case is “a long way from that.”
Australian Minister Jason Clare voiced concern, noting the similarities with the Laos case, where two 19-year-old Australian women died of suspected methanol poisoning. The Warwick Fiji resort administered a statement saying it is cooperating with health authorities and conducting an internal investigation. Test results are awaited to ascertain the cause of the illness.
Fiji police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. In the meantime, DFAT has advised tourists visiting Fiji to remain vigilant about drink safety and seek immediate medical assistance if symptoms of drink spiking or alcohol poisoning arise. The tourism-dependent nation is under scrutiny as officials work to soothe travellers and prevent similar incidents.
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