A group of seven individuals, including an American tourist and two foreign residents of Fiji, have reportedly become ill after consuming cocktails at a resort on Fiji’s Coral Coast. Among them, four Australians are currently in critical condition, and the situation is alarming.
A 56-year-old Australian woman is under constant medical surveillance, while a 19-year-old is experiencing severe medical episodes. Two other Australian women, aged 49 and 18, are also in critical condition, though their health is slightly more stable compared to the others.
The elder states of the situation have prompted the RNZ to reach out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to verify whether any New Zealanders were affected. Meanwhile, local health ministry inspectors and police are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the illness, which appears to be linked to the cocktails served at the resort bar.
The four Australians are receiving treatment at Lautoka Hospital, located approximately three and a half hours away from the Warwick Resort. Authorities are on high alert given that Fiji’s economy heavily relies on tourism, raising concerns for industry stakeholders regarding how this event could impact traveler confidence.
A drastic similar incident was recently reported in Laos, where methanol poisoning resulted in multiple fatalities among tourists, highlighting the potential dangers associated with consuming alcoholic beverages in certain locations.
The situation remains fluid, and an update is anticipated from health officials later on Monday. It is hoped that this incident will lead to increased safety measures to protect tourists and local residents alike in the future.
In summary, while the current situation is serious, there is hope that the swift response from local authorities will help identify the cause and prevent similar incidents, reassuring those interested in visiting Fiji’s beautiful resorts.
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