In brief
Seven tourists are hospitalized in Fiji with severe symptoms consistent with alcohol poisoning after drinking cocktails at a resort. Four of them are Australian nationals, and the group was initially treated locally before being transferred to a larger facility.
Seven tourists have been hospitalized in Fiji, exhibiting symptoms indicative of alcohol poisoning, following their consumption of cocktails at a resort bar on Saturday night. The group, which includes four Australians aged between 18 and 56, began showing signs of illness shortly after drinking, displaying nausea, vomiting, and neurological distress, according to reports from local health authorities.The tourists were staying at a resort on the Coral Coast and were first admitted to Sigatoka Hospital before being moved to Lautoka Hospital for further treatment. This alarming incident has raised concerns within the tourism sector, especially as it comes just weeks after a similar occurrence in Laos claimed the lives of six tourists due to suspected methanol poisoning.An Australian foreign ministry spokesperson has confirmed that the families of the affected individuals are receiving consular assistance as the situation unfolds. Health officials in Fiji are investigating the source of the cocktails consumed by the tourists, as safety protocols in hospitality settings come under scrutiny amid the growing incidents of alcohol-related health emergencies.
