7 Tourists, Including 1 American, Hospitalized After Drinking Cocktails at Fijian Resort: Reports

12/16/2024 06:15 AM

Two people remain in hospital after falling ill while at the Warwick Fiji resort over the weekend, it has been reported

Seven people were reportedly hospitalized over the weekend after drinking cocktails at a five-star Fiji resort.

The tourists were guests at the Warwick Fiji resort on Coral Coast near the town of Sigatoka. They fell ill after drinking alcoholic drinks at the location on Saturday, Dec. 14, per the Associated Press.

An American was among the people affected, as well as four Australians and two foreigners living in Fiji, according to the BBC.

Officials have said it's "too soon to know if tainted alcohol was involved," per the AP.

On Sunday, Dec. 15., the Fiji Times reported that the Ministry of Health & Medical Services and Fiji Police Force were investigating after people were taken to the Sigatoka Hospital with nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms. They were citing a Ministry of Health statement.

"The affected patients' age ranges from 18 to 56 years," the Ministry added, per the outlet.

Viliame "Bill" Gavoka — the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji and Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation — shared an update regarding the "serious health incident" on Facebook on Monday, Dec. 16. He confirmed that two High Dependency Unit (HDU) patients had now been discharged while another two of the people affected remained in Lautoka Hospital "in stable conditions."

The Warwick Resort told PEOPLE in a written statement on Monday, Dec. 16., "We are aware of the recent news regarding suspected alcohol poisoning. Please rest assured that we are taking this matter very seriously and are currently conducting a thorough investigation. We are also awaiting the health authorities test result report to gather all necessary information."

"At this moment, we do not have conclusive details, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available," they added.

Gavoka's Facebook update also said, "Our thoughts are with the affected guests and their families during this time, and we are ensuring that they receive the best medical care possible. We are reassured that their condition this morning was stable, and we do hope their condition continues to improve." He confirmed that the incident happened at "only one bar."

"This is an extremely isolated incident, affecting only these seven guests at a specific bar within the Resort. No other incidents have been reported either at the resort, or across Fiji. The resort has been operating in Fiji successfully for many years and holds a strong reputation," the statement continued.

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David Sandoe — whose daughter and granddaughter were among those who fell ill — told Sky News Australia on Monday, Dec. 16., "When you receive a phone call at 11 o'clock the other night and your daughter says that her daughter and herself have been poisoned and they were in hospital it's quite something."

Sandoe told the outlet that they were expecting their family back in Sydney later today, Monday, Dec. 16.

Fiji's Ministry of Health and the Fiji Police Force didn't immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for an update. PEOPLE also reached out to a State Department spokesperson for an update on the American reportedly affected, but didn't immediately receive a response.

The incident follows six tourists — including an American man — dying in Laos last month after drinking alcohol that authorities suspected was tainted with methanol.