Four Australians are reportedly among seven people rushed to hospital in Fiji with suspected alcohol poisoning as the federal government issued a warning about drink spiking in the popular Pacific holiday spot.
The Fiji Times reported on Sunday night that seven guests from the Warwick Fiji Resort on Fiji’s Coral Coast were taken to Sigatoka Hospital on Saturday night after drinking cocktails at an event.
The Warwick Fiji resort where the guests are believed to have suffered alcohol poisoning.Credit: Facebook
A statement from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to The Fiji Times confirmed seven guests were taken to hospital and that four of those were Australian, one American and two were foreigners resident in Fiji. It said health inspectors were called and a police investigation was in progress.
“The affected patients’ age ranges from 18 to 56 years, and two patients have been transferred to Lautoka Hospital due to the severity of their condition,” the ministry statement read.
However, a later report said all seven patients had been transferred to the better-equipped hospital in Lautoka, about half an hour north of Nadi.
The ministry statement said the guests were taken to hospital with nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms after consuming a cocktail drink prepared at a bar at the resort.
“The ministry has also mobilised a team of health inspectors to assist the health team at Sigatoka Hospital in the detailed investigation of the event at the resort, as well as identify other guests who may also be affected with similar symptoms from consuming the same drink.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement it was helping two families in Fiji.