An American tourist and two foreign residents of Fiji are part of a group of seven individuals who have fallen ill after consuming cocktails at a resort. Among those affected, four Australians are currently in critical condition in hospital, with health officials suspecting alcohol poisoning.
One of the critically ill individuals, a 56-year-old woman, is under constant medical supervision, while a 19-year-old is reportedly experiencing severe medical episodes. Additionally, two other Australian women, aged 49 and 18, are in critical condition but are not as severely affected as the others.
Local journalist Mereoni Mili noted that health ministry inspectors and police are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the illness. So far, it is known that the group consumed cocktails at the resort bar, located on Fiji’s Coral Coast, before falling ill.
The four Australians receiving treatment are at Lautoka Hospital, approximately three and a half hours away from the Warwick Resort where they were staying. Mili expressed concerns among authorities, as the suspected alcohol poisoning poses risks not only for the affected individuals but also for Fiji’s tourism sector, which is a significant part of the local economy. Stakeholders in the tourism industry are expected to take precautionary measures to prevent further incidents.
This alarming situation arises only weeks after a separate methanol poisoning incident in Laos that tragically resulted in the deaths of two Australian teenagers, a British national, an American, and two Danish women.
The ongoing investigations and updates from health officials will be crucial in determining the safety of the affected beverages and ensuring the well-being of future tourists.
In light of this incident, it is essential for resorts and establishments serving alcohol to implement stricter safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences, ensuring that tourists can continue to enjoy their experiences with peace of mind.
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