WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Authorities in Fiji reported that seven international tourists had to be hospitalized after consuming cocktails at a bar within a resort. The incident, which took place at the upscale Warwick resort located near Sigatoka, raised concerns among officials regarding the exact cause of the illnesses, as investigations are ongoing to determine whether contaminated alcohol might be a factor.
The affected individuals included both Australians and an American, who exhibited symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and neurological issues, according to Jemesa Tudravu, a spokesperson from the Fiji Ministry of Health. As of Monday, two individuals remained hospitalized but were reportedly in stable condition. Fiji’s Tourism Minister, Viliame R. Gavoka, confirmed that one person had been released on Sunday, while four others were discharged the following day.
David Sandoe, an Australian whose family members were among those hospitalized, shared with media outlets that his daughter and granddaughter had been released and were planning to return home that evening. Local reports have speculated that alcohol poisoning might be the cause of their ailments, drawing comparisons to a tragic event in Laos from last November that resulted in six tourists, including two Australian teens, losing their lives due to tainted beverages.
Despite these concerns, Tudravu emphasized that no definitive cause had yet been identified for the incident in Fiji. The police have initiated toxicology tests, with results anticipated in around three to four days, as stated by Gavoka. Notably, the bar was reportedly busy on Saturday night, with many customers ordering piña coladas—the same drink reportedly consumed by the ill tourists.
Gavoka highlighted that no additional cases of similar illnesses had been reported at the resort or anywhere else in Fiji, which is home to approximately 930,000 residents. He mentioned, “The management of the resort has assured us that they have not engaged in practices like substituting ingredients or compromising the quality of the drinks served to guests.” The Warwick resort has a long-standing reputation for its services and has been an established part of the picturesque Coral Coast on Viti Levu, the largest of Fiji’s islands.
“This is the only incident of this kind we’ve witnessed in recent memory, and certainly, nothing comparable has occurred this year,” Gavoka remarked. Meanwhile, Australia’s Foreign Ministry released a statement confirming that they are offering consular assistance to the Australian families involved in the incident. Though there was no commentary on the specific cause of the tourists’ illnesses, the ministry updated its travel advisory the following day, warning of “potential risks related to drink spiking and methanol poisoning from consuming alcoholic beverages.”
Savaira Molaucake, a spokesperson for the resort, stated that the staff is currently undertaking a comprehensive investigation into the event and is collaborating closely with local authorities to address the situation.