Seven individuals, including one American and at least four Australians, were hospitalized in Fiji on Saturday after consuming piña coladas at a hotel bar that may have been spiked, according to Fiji officials.
Viliame Gavoka, Fiji’s deputy prime minister and minister for tourism and civil aviation, confirmed during a Sunday press conference that the affected individuals experienced symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and urological issues. The drinks were consumed at the five-star Warwick Fiji hotel.
“As of 12:25 p.m. today, two patients have been discharged. … Two HDU, high-dependency unit, patients … will be cleared for discharge this afternoon after another medical review. Two patients, currently admitted in the intensive care unit, ICU, are in stable condition,” Gavoka said.
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.
“This incident is [an extremely] isolated one, affecting only seven guests at a specific bar within a very popular resort. The resort has been operating in Fiji successfully for many years, with a strong reputation, especially among Australian visitors,” Gavoka said.
The Fiji Health Ministry and police are investigating the incident, noting that no other similar cases had been reported as of Sunday. Gavoka emphasized that tourism in Fiji is typically very safe and that such an incident is unprecedented on the island.
The piña coladas consumed by the tourists, described by Gavoka as a popular rum-based cocktail with pineapple juice, are now under scrutiny. Toxicology reports are being prepared to determine the cause of the illnesses.
The Warwick Fiji hotel issued a statement acknowledging the incident and confirmed that they are cooperating with authorities. “Please rest assured that we are taking this matter very seriously and are currently conducting a thorough investigation,” a spokesperson said. They added that while conclusive details are not yet available, ensuring the safety and well-being of their guests remains their top priority.
