New twist in Fiji cocktail investigation as mystery deepens

Questions remain over what caused seven people to fall seriously ill at a five-star hotel in Fiji, as authorities reveal details of toxicology tests taken on the supposedly tainted cocktails.

Fiji authorities are considering asking the Australian Federal Police for help in the investigation into an incident at a five-star hotel that hospitalised seven people.

Health authorities in Fiji have released details of a toxicology report that ruled out methanol poisoning or illicit drugs as a cause of the mass illness at the Warwick Resort last Saturday.

The Warwick Resort where four Australians fell ill. Picture: Jason Edwards

A spokesman for Fiji’s Tourism Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka said on Thursday that investigations were continuing.

“It was not methanol or any illicit substances, we need to find out why,” the spokesman said.

“Fiji Health authorities are investigating, we have not yet formally asked, but we may speak to the Australian Federal Police in Fiji.”

Fiji Police took samples of the ingredients of the Pina Coladas served on the night at the resort when the seven people were rushed to hospital.

The drinks had been blamed as the cause of the incident, however other people had also consumed them and did not become ill.

Tests conducted in Fiji came up negative for methanol and illicit substances.

An Australian woman has arrived home after she became ill from drinking a Pina Colada at a luxury resort in Fiji. Picture: Supplied

“We may need to send the samples to Australia for testing,” the spokesman said.

The Australian Federal Police have a base in Fiji as part of the 33 outposts across the globe.

They have worked closely with Fiji Police in the past.

Guests at the Warwick Resort on Thursday were still confused about the poisoning scare.

The resort has not served cocktails or spirits since the weekend’s incident.

The Bounty Rum served in the Pina Coladas came from a distillery in Lautoka, Fiji’s second city, which is owned by Coca-Cola.

The company has not responded to requests for comment despite Fiji authorities clearing their drinks.

Guests at the resort on Thursday were questioning whether a bad batch of ice in the drinks may have caused all seven people to fall ill.

“What really happened? People are talking about it saying it’s all fake but why did so many people get sick at the same time,” a guest said.

Fiji’s tourism industry injected $2.3 billion into the local economy in 2023, according to Fiji government finance reports.

That was a major jump from the Covid-19 years when global borders were shut down.

More than 300,000 Australians visit Fiji every year, with the government hoping to reassure travellers that the country remains safe.

AUSSIE MUM LEAVES FIJI AFTER INCIDENT

An Australian mother has headed home from Fiji after spending four days in intensive care following the incident at the five-star hotel.

The woman was cleared by the Lautoka Hospital on Wednesday and headed straight for Fiji’s international airport.

The woman is assisted by paramedics at Coolangatta Airport. Picture: Supplied

The mother, whose daughter was also hospitalised, was among seven people who fell ill after drinking Pina Coladas at The Warwick Resort on Saturday.

She was taken wheeled on a medical stretcher to a medevac flight from Fiji at 5pm local time on Wednesday.

Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka insisted that a toxicology report had found no traces of methanol on samples of alcohol taken from the resort.

“I can confirm that no illicit substances or methanol were found in the ingredients or liquor

Samples,” he said on Wednesday.

The woman arrives at Coolangatta airport. Picture: Supplied

The woman was among one of seven people who became ill after drinking a cocktail at a Fiji resort. Picture: Supplied

“We are also pleased to inform you that all of the affected tourists and a local have now been discharged from medical care, fully recovered, and have returned home.

“This is a significant relief, and we are grateful for the swift medical attention and care provided to the visitors during this incident.”

The woman’s daughter pictured at the airport. Picture: Supplied

Mr Gavoka, who is also Fiji’s Tourism Minister, did not explain the cause of the illness, which affected so many people at the one time.

The incident prompted Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to issue an urgent warning about drinking spiking in Fiji at the weekend.

The final victim of the Fiji alcohol sickness is airlifted out of the country by medical staff. Picture: Nine News

The final victim of the Fiji alcohol sickness is airlifted out of the country by medical staff as her daughter watches on. Picture: Nine News

“No tourist wants to end their holiday in illness, and we are sorry that their holiday ended on such a note,” Mr Gavoka said.

“The findings that there is no evidence of alcohol poisoning is great news for Fiji, especially for our vital tourism industry.

“The findings bring much-needed reassurance to the global community that Fiji is, and

continues to be, a safe and reliable destination for travellers.”

Four Australians were among those who became sick, including Georgia Sandoe-Simpon, 19, and her mother Tanya, who were released from hospital on Monday and returned to Sydney.

They were staying at the Warwick Resort, about two hours drive from Fiji’s international airport on the Coral Coast.

The Warwick Resort’s human resources manager insisted that his hotel was safe on Wednesday.

Manoa Seru Nakausabaria Kamikamica, Fiji Deputy Prime Minister holds a press conference after tourist, including Australians were hospitalised. Picture: Sky News

He said the hotel had sent off bottles of Bounty Rum, the main ingredient in the Pina Coladas served, for testing.

“From our batch, it is not expired,” Nitin Goundar said.

“We will go through the CCTV footage.”

The Warwick Resort in Fiji has operated for four decades, although it was previously under a different hotel operator.

The Paris-based Warwick group, which also owns hotels in London and New York, took over in 2014.

A spokesperson from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Fiji police were actively investigating the incident.

“We are in close contact with local authorities and stand ready to assist should they request it,” they said.

Originally published as New twist in Fiji cocktail investigation as mystery deepens