In Fiji, one American and six others, including at least four Australians, were taken to the hospital after drinking pina coladas that might have been tampered with at a hotel bar, as reported by authorities in Fiji and various international sources.
Viliame Gavoka, who is the deputy prime minister and also holds the positions of tourism and civil aviation minister, verified the seven cases of hospitalization during a press gathering on Sunday. Gavoka mentioned that the affected individuals suffered from symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and urinary problems after consuming beverages at the luxury Warwick Fiji hotel.
“As of 12:25 p.m. today, two patients have been released. … Two patients from the high-dependency unit (HDU) … are expected to be discharged later today following an additional medical assessment. Two patients who are currently under care in the intensive care unit (ICU) are in a stable condition,” stated Gavoka.
The Fiji Health Ministry and police are investigating and found that no other cases had been reported as of Sunday. Government officials will continue to investigate the cause of the tourists’ illnesses.
Four Australian tourists fell gravely ill after consuming cocktails at the Coral Coast hotel bar and were hospitalized, The Guardian reported. At least two Australians are returning home.
Tourists in Fiji who experienced concerning symptoms after consuming cocktails at a hotel bar were admitted to Lautoka Hospital on Saturday. (AFP)
“They’re very well, considering what they’ve been through,” David Sandoe told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. in a Sunday interview about his daughter and granddaughter. “… It was the mother-and-daughter ideal break, and they enjoy one another’s company, and we as a family love Fiji. So, that was a logical place to go, and they were enjoying themselves.”
The mother and daughter had planned a week-long vacation in Fiji that 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 at this resort, and they had … a similar cocktail, and unfortunately seven people came down with the symptoms that have been talked about,” the grandfather said.
The Fiji Ministry of Health and police continue to investigate the incidents, and officials said they will provide more updates as they become available.
The Warwick Fiji did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital.
