One American and six others, including at least four Australians, were hospitalized in Fiji Saturday after consuming pina coladas that may have been spiked at a hotel bar, according to Fiji officials and global reports.
Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, confirmed the seven hospital admissions during a press conference on Sunday. Gavoka said the victims experienced nausea, vomiting and urological problems after consuming drinks the five star hotel Warwick Fiji.
“As of 12.25pm today, two patients have been discharged. … Two HDU patients, high dependency patients … will be discharged this afternoon after another medical assessment. Two patients, currently admitted to the intensive care unit, ICU, are in stable condition,” Gavoka said.
The Fiji Ministry of Health and police are investigating and found no other cases had been reported as of Sunday. Government officials will continue to investigate the cause of the tourists’ illnesses.
RUSSIAN TOURIST DIES AFTER HUNG OVER BY HUGE WAVE WHILE DOING YOGA IN THAILAND
Fijian doctors have decided to discharge five of seven patients, including four Australians and an American, who were hospitalized after drinking pina coladas at a luxury hotel bar, officials said on December 16. (LEON HEER/AFP)
“This incident is (extremely) isolated and affects only seven guests at a specific bar at a very popular resort. The resort has been successfully operating in Fiji for many years and has a strong reputation, particularly among Australian visitors,” Gavoka said. .
Gavoka added that tourism in Fiji “is generally very safe,” and that the island had never had an incident like this before Saturday.
BAHAMAS JUDGE REVOKES BAIL FOR AMERICAN BEAUTY QUEEN CHARGED IN MURDER PLOT OF EX-NFL HUSBAND
Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, said the victims suffered from nausea, vomiting and urological problems. (Facebook/Fiji Government)
The deputy prime minister also confirmed that the tourists drank pina coladas, which he described as a “very popular cocktail” based on rum and pineapple juice.
Officials are working to complete toxicology reports that will provide more information about what ingredients the victims consumed.
The Warwick Fiji told Fox News Digital in a statement that the hotel “is aware of the recent news of suspected alcohol poisoning.”
This photo shows the five-star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast on December 16. (LEON HEER/AFP)
“Rest assured that we are taking this matter very seriously and are currently conducting a thorough investigation. We are also awaiting the test result report from health authorities to gather all necessary information,” a Warwick spokesperson said. “We do not have conclusive details at this time, but we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety and well-being of our guests. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.”
CANCUN POLICE REJECT US COLLEGE CHILDREN’S CLAIMS OF DRUGGED WATER AS ‘Exaggerated’: REPORT
Four Australian tourists became seriously ill after consuming cocktails at the Coral Coast hotel bar and were hospitalized. The Guardian reported this. At least two Australians return home.
Tourists in Fiji who developed symptoms after consuming cocktails at a hotel bar were admitted to Lautoka Hospital on Saturday. (AFP)
“They’re doing really well considering what they’ve been through,” David Sandoe told the BBC Australian broadcaster in a Sunday interview about his daughter and granddaughter. “…It was the ideal holiday for mother and daughter, and they enjoy each other’s company, and we as a family love Fiji. So that was a natural place to go, and they enjoyed it.”
The mother and daughter had planned a weeklong vacation to Fiji, which was cut short when they were hospitalized, and then decided to fly home to Australia, Sandoe said.
“There was a group of them in the lounge of this resort, and they had… a similar cocktail, and unfortunately seven people developed the symptoms that were being talked about,” the grandfather said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS
The Fiji Ministry of Health and police continue to investigate the incidents and officials said they will provide further updates as they become available.
The Warwick Fiji did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital.
