At least seven people were hospitalized after drinking pina coladas at the popular Warwick Fiji Resort over the weekend, raising alarm and prompting investigations by local authorities. The victims, which included four Australian women, two Americans, and one Fijian, aged between 18 and 56, experienced symptoms of suspected alcohol poisoning shortly after consuming cocktails at the hotel’s adult pool bar.
Generally, the guests reported severe nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms, leading to chaotic scenes at the resort on December 14. One of the Australians, aged 56, remained under constant hospital surveillance, and another, 19, suffered “serious medical episodes.” The remaining guests were reported to be stable but still faced significant health concerns.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs has since warned travelers to Fiji about potential risks of drink spiking and methanol poisoning, which has raised eyebrows considering recent incidents involving alcohol poisoning, including one episode last month where six tourists died in Laos.
Local authorities responded swiftly, with Jemesa Tudravu from Fiji's health ministry stating, “We don’t have the cause of the incident yet, but our team is currently investigating.” Toxicology tests are underway as they analyze the cocktails consumed by the guests, and police are conducting their own toxicology examinations as part of their investigation.
Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka emphasized the isolated nature of the incident, stating, “This is an extremely isolated incident, affecting only these seven guests at a specific bar within the resort.” He reassured the public and potential tourists by urging them to remain cautious about what they consume, especially as the festive season approaches.
Meanwhile, the resort has claimed it has not altered the quality of drinks served and is fully cooperating with the authorities. Despite this, the Warwick Fiji Resort is under scrutiny as reports have surfaced about previous guests suffering from similar conditions.
Following her hospitalization, American guest Jill Juarez shared her alarming experience online. Juarez expressed frustration at the local government's handling of the situation, claiming they had failed to provide her with her toxicology results. She noted, “I received IV after IV of NaCl, morphine, and other drugs,” describing the psychological and physical turmoil she faced, including confusion and severe anxiety about her health.
During her treatment, she witnessed another guest, a mother, nearly succumb to her condition, exacerbated the chaos of the situation. Juarez lamented, “I was not interviewed by police until more than nine hours later,” highlighting concerns about communication and investigate protocol by local authorities.
Despite the Fijian government’s quick assurance ruling out methanol and illicit substances, no definitive cause for the illness has been identified. The Deputy Prime Minister confirmed, “I can confirm no illicit substances or methanol were found,” yet many nuances remain unexplained.
Juarez’s experience highlighted not only the medical repercussions of the event but also personal trauma, as she questioned the local authorities repeatedly for her results, which she believes have not been addressed adequately. “It's been 11 days. I have contacted the police officer twice and have been ignored,” she stated, voicing her worries over potential long-term health impacts stemming from mysterious toxins.
Victims have since been discharged, with some returning to Australia, but not without facing hurdles related to compensation for their lost travel experiences. Juarez recounted attempts to negotiate reimbursement for lost nights at the resort, finding herself redirected to security personnel instead of management.
The Warwick Resort declared it remains operational but stated they are conducting thorough investigations and waiting for health ministry test results to aid their inquiry. Human Resources Manager Nitin Goundar noted, “Our batch is not expired. We will go through the CCTV footage,” ensuring they are preparing to validate their claims and provide answers.
Local officials have echoed sentiments of caution and vigilance, with the Ministry of Tourism highlighting the importance of learning from this incident. “This incident was localized to one hotel,” Mr. Gavoka reported, attempting to quell fears surrounding tourism safety.
Responses from tourism authorities suggest they are implementing measures with local hotels and the Fiji Police Force to improve standards and transparency for future visitors. “We will work with our marketing arm, Tourism Fiji, and Fiji Hotels and Tourism Association to rectify the situation and promote safe travel,” he added.
This incident has sparked discussions about alcohol safety protocols and the need for transparency and adequate responses from hospitality leads. The Warwick Fiji Resort and local authorities will likely face additional scrutiny, as both locals and tourists demand accountability.
While victims have survived this harrowing ordeal, the shadows of uncertainty linger as health experts and authorities work to understand the true cause of the alarming situation at one of Fiji’s renowned vacation destinations. For many, it underscored the necessity of caution when consuming alcoholic beverages abroad, as well as the importance of empathetic care from medical and hospitality providers.
The suffering endured by the victims has ignited conversations about safety measures within tourist hotspots, underscoring the imperative for structural reforms and more stringent oversight to protect patrons. The Warwick Fiji Resort will undoubtedly be under the microscope as investigations continue and former guests share their stories of recovery.
