Nearly a month after six tourists died from drinking tainted alcohol in the Southeast Asian nation of Laos, a similar incident is unfolding in the South Pacific island nation of Fiji that left seven tourists hospitalized. While no official cause has been determined for their illness, all seven became sick after drinking cocktails at a resort bar.
“I want to begin by acknowledging the seriousness of what had occurred at the resort in the Coral Coast which affected seven guests who presented the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and neurological issues,” Viliame Gavoka, the deputy prime minister and minister for tourism, said.
Authorities in Fiji said the seven affected guests include an American and four Australians, all between the ages of 18 and 56. They reportedly fell ill after consuming alcoholic drinks at the five-star Warwick Fiji resort on Coral Coast near the town of Sigatoka Saturday night, Dec. 14.
Officials said it is too soon to know if the drinks were tainted, like in the Laos. In that case, an American man was among those killed.
“This incident is extremely an isolated one, affecting only seven guests at a specific bar within a very popular resort,” Gavoka said. “The resort has been operating in Fiji successfully for many years, with a strong reputation, especially among our Australian visitors. They are obviously concerned for the welfare of their guests. We do not wish to speculate about the cause at this stage. We are awaiting the results of ongoing investigations and lab tests.”
In a Facebook post Monday, Dec. 16, Gavoka said two of the victims remain in stable condition at an intensive care unit. All others have been released.
Two of those include the daughter and granddaughter of Australian David Sandoe, who spoke to Sky News about getting the call from his daughter.
“We’re holding up okay, but it’s really, the focus is on our daughter and granddaughter,” Sandoe said. “But when you receive a phone call at 11 o’clock the other night and your daughter says that her daughter and herself have been poisoned and they were in hospital, it’s quite something else.”
A spokesperson for the Warwick resort said they are taking this matter very seriously and that officials are currently conducting a thorough investigation.
Australia’s Foreign Ministry updated its travel advisory for Fiji on Monday, Dec. 16.
“Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks,” the travel advisory said. “Get urgent medical help if you suspect drink spiking.”
As for Sandoe, he is just happy his loved ones are coming home and hopes the same for the rest of those impacted by the incident.
“All we’re concerned about at the moment is to make sure we get our loved ones home, and for those others who are not as fortunate as us to have them back today, then we’re still feeling for them because it is a horrific experience,” Sandoe told Sky News.
Fiji officials said results of toxicology reports should take three to four days to arrive.
