Hotel cocktails send tourists to Fiji hospital in mystery scare

According to NBC News, the affected individuals include one American, four Australians, and two foreigners of undisclosed nationality.

The tourists experienced nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms after having drinks at the hotel bar near the city of Sigatoka.

A spokesperson for Fiji's Ministry of Health, Jemesa Tudravu, reported that two tourists remain in the hospital in stable condition, while five have already been discharged. The cause of their ailments is not yet known, and authorities emphasize that it's too early to determine if contaminated alcohol caused them.

Fiji's Minister of Tourism, Viliame R. Gavoka, noted that no similar cases have been reported at this resort or other parts of the country. "The resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests," Gavoka said, as quoted by NBC News.

The resort's spokeswoman, Savaira Molaucake, emphasized in a conversation with NBC News that the matter is being taken very seriously, and the hotel is conducting a thorough investigation, awaiting the results of the authorities' examinations. "We are currently working jointly with the authorities to determine what caused this unfortunate incident. We are committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone who visits our resort," she stated.

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed that four Australians have been hospitalized. He also informed that Australia has updated its travel warnings for Fiji, cautioning about the risk of alcoholic drinks being contaminated with methanol. "Don’t leave your drinks unattended. Pay attention when your drinks are being mixed and get urgent medical help if you suspect that something is wrong," he urged.