An American and six others, including at least four Australians, were hospitalized in Fiji on Saturday after consuming pina coladas that may have been spiked at a hotel bar, according to Fijian officials and international reports.
Viliame Gavoka, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism and civil aviation, confirmed seven hospitalizations during a press conference on Sunday. Gavoka said the victims suffered nausea, vomiting and urinary problems after drinking at a five-star hotel in Warwick Fiji.
“As of 12:25 pm today, two patients have been discharged. … Two HDU, intensive care unit, patients … will be discharged this afternoon after medical review. Two patients, currently admitted to the intensive care unit, ICU. , are in condition which satisfies us,” said Gavoka.
Fiji’s Department of Health and the police are investigating and have found that no other cases have been reported since Sunday. Government officials will continue to investigate the cause of the tourists’ illness.
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Doctors in Fiji have decided to release five of seven patients, including four Australians and one American, who were hospitalized after drinking pina coladas at a hotel bar, officials said on December 16. (LEON KING/AFP)
“This incident [an extremely] one, involving only seven guests in a very popular bar. The resort has been operating successfully in Fiji for many years, with a strong reputation, especially among Australian tourists,” Gavoka said.
Gavoka added that tourism in Fiji is “generally very safe,” and the island had never experienced an incident like this before Saturday.
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Viliame Gavoka, the deputy prime minister who is also the minister of tourism and civil aviation, said the victims suffered from nausea, vomiting and urinary problems. (Facebook/Fiji government)
The deputy prime minister also confirmed that the guests drank pina coladas, which he described as a “very popular cocktail” with a rum base and including pineapple juice.
Officials are working to complete toxicology reports that will include more information about what ingredients the victims consumed.
The Warwick Fiji told Fox News Digital in a statement that the hotel is “aware of recent news regarding suspected alcohol poisoning.”
This photo shows the five-star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast on Dec. 16. (LEON KING/AFP)
“Please be assured that we are taking this issue seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation. We are also awaiting a report on the results of the health authorities’ tests to gather all the necessary information,” said a Warwick spokesperson. “At this time, we do not have specific information, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests. We will keep you informed as more information becomes available.”
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Four Australian tourists fell seriously ill after drinking cocktails at a Coral Coast hotel bar and were hospitalized, The Guardian reported. At least two Australians returned home.
Tourists in Fiji who developed symptoms after drinking cocktails at a hotel bar were admitted to Lautoka Hospital on Saturday. (AFP)
“They’re doing pretty well, when you think about what they’ve been through,” David Sandoe told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. in an interview on Sunday about his daughter and granddaughter. “… It was a perfect mother-daughter break, and they enjoy being together, and we as a family love Fiji. So, that was a logical place for them to go, and they had fun.”
The mother and daughter had planned a week-long vacation in Fiji that was cut short when they were hospitalized and decided to fly home to Australia, Sandoe said.
“There was a group of them in the lounge at this resort, and they had … the same cocktail, and unfortunately seven people came with the symptoms that have been talked about,” the grandfather said.
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Fiji’s Department of Health and police are continuing to investigate the incidents, and officials said they will provide more information as it becomes available.
Warwick Fiji did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital.
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