Several Australians are seriously ill in hospital in Fiji with what local authorities suspect is alcohol poisoning.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) confirmed through a spokesperson on Sunday evening that it was providing consular assistance to two Australian families in Fiji but declined to provide further details.
Fiji police and health officials were investigating an alleged alcohol poisoning at a resort on the Coral Coast after seven guests fell ill after drinking alcohol, local media reported.
The victims were taken to Sigatoka hospital on Saturday night with “nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms”, Fijivillage.com reported.
It said two of the victims were later transferred to Lautoka hospital. The victims were reportedly aged between 18 and 56.
The ABC reported seven tourists were in a critical condition and four of the people affected were believed to be Australians.
On Sunday afternoon, Dfat updated its travel advice for Fiji to highlight a warning about the risk of alcohol poisoning.
“Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks,” the updated advice stated. “Get urgent medical help if you suspect drink spiking.”
Guardian Australia understands the consular support being offered to the Australian families may involve assisting with hospital visits and liaising with local authorities.
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The suspected alcohol poisoning incident comes after two 19-year-old Victorian women, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, died from methanol poisoning in November after drinking tainted alcohol while holidaying in Vang Vieng in Laos.
– Additional reporting Australian Associated Press
