‘Very alert’: Government urges caution after suspected alcohol poisonings in Fiji

Australians have been warned to exercise caution at a popular holiday hotspot after seven tourists were hospitalised with suspected alcohol poisoning.

Australians have been urged to watch their drinks while travelling after several holidaymakers were hospitalised with suspected alcohol poisoning in Fiji.

A group of seven tourists, including four Australians one American and two foreigners, fell ill over the weekend after drinking at a five-star resort on Fiji’s Coral Coast.

Fijian police and health authorities are investigating the incident.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Monday the situation was “very concerning”.

“We are thinking of the friends and family of the people who are affected,” the Treasurer told reporters in Canberra.

“This is no doubt a very distressing time for them.”

Mr Chalmers said Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) officials were in touch with the affected Australians and “providing consular assistance”.

The warning comes after multiple people were hospitalised with suspected alcohol poisoning.

He added that the federal government would provide updates as it gets them from police in Fiji.

“Beyond that, people who are affected by this are entitled to their privacy, so we won’t say more about their particular situation until or unless it’s okay with them,” Mr Chalmers said.

“More broadly, obviously, if Australians are travelling, be very alert to the potential risks ... around drink spiking and alcohol poisoning.

“Don’t leave your drink unattended, pay attention when your drinks are being mixed and get urgent medical help if you suspect that something is wrong.”

DFAT issued fresh travel advice for the popular Pacific holiday hotspot on Sunday night.

The four Australians, whose ages range between 18 and 56, were initially taken to Sigatoka Hospital with “nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms”.

It was the closest option to the ritzy Warwick Resort.

But all have since been transferred to Lautoka Hospital because of the severity of their symptoms, according to local media.

Local media reported Fiji’s health ministry had deployed a team of health inspectors to investigate the incident and identify any other victims.

Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks in #Fiji. Get urgent medical help if you suspect drink spiking. Read more: https://t.co/9j211nyfUK and https://t.co/8flCXMangZ

— Smartraveller (@Smartraveller) December 15, 2024

The incident comes just weeks after Australians Holly Bowles, 19, and Bianca Jones, 19, were among six people who died after a suspected mass methanol poisoning event in Laos.

The teens had been staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng before they fell violently ill after allegedly consuming a cocktail that was laced with methanol.

As many as 10 travellers are believed to have fallen ill after consuming the poisoned alcohol in Van Vieng.

Warwick Resort, where those hospitalised were staying.

Holly and Bianca were taken to hospital on November 13 by hostel night staff after they reportedly complained of difficulty breathing.

They were evacuated to Thailand and died in separate Bangkok hospitals.

Holly and Bianca’s families have since started a GoFundMe to raise awareness about the dangers of methanol poisoning.

Methanol is a colourless substance which is sometimes added to illicit alcohol but can be deadly.

Eight people have been detained over the fatal alleged mass poisoning incident during a police investigation by local police.