New particulars emerge concerning the suspicious cocktails served up at 5 star Fiji resort the place thriller mass alcohol poisoning left six in hospital
- Six tourists hospitalised in Fiji after drinking pina coladas
- Guests had been vacationing at Warwick Resort
- More former guests have come forward
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Former guests of the Fiji resort at the centre of a mass poisoning have revealed they also developed a mystery illness after drinking cocktails at the five-star venue.
Six tourists aged between 18 and 56 were rushed to Lautoka Hospital on Saturday after sipping pina coladas at the Warwick Resort on the holiday island’s Coral Coast.
Four of the guests – including three Australians – have since been discharged. Two women – a Fijian and an Australian – remain in hospital on Tuesday night after spending the past three days in ICU.
Now, holidaymakers who recently stayed at the resort have revealed they also fell ill after consuming cocktails at the resort’s bars.
‘My husband and I were there two weeks ago and he had the same cocktail [a pina colada] and was sick with chills and sweats,’ one woman wrote online.
‘[It was] very strange.’
A man who stayed at the hotel in late November said his group bought drinks from one of the bars that were ‘completely undrinkable’.
‘They tasted like pure alcohol (not strong mixes),’ he said.
Four Australians, a Fijian, and an American were rushed to hospital on Saturday after drinking at Warwick Fiji (pictured) on the holiday island’s Coral Coast
Pictured: A staff member – who was unconnected to the incident – holds bottles of spirits as she tidies up the bar at the Warwick Resort in Fiji on Monday
‘We asked for a glass of lemonade to break it down and it was still undrinkable [because it had a foul taste].
‘[However] we drank at least 20 other cocktails from other bars that were sensational.’
Meanwhile, other former visitors have spoken out to slam other aspects of health and safety at the resort.
Several guests who visited in October claim members of their travel group fell sick due to algae in the pool.
‘The pool was green for our whole two week stay,’ one woman said.
‘Staff knew the pool was green and said it was acceptable to swim in it. From what we have heard, the resort has had a green pool on and off since July.’
Another guest who vacationed with her husband and three children described their experience as ‘horrible’.
‘[The] main pool has been inoperable for 4 days out of our 7 day stay! Dirty Brown water!! And the staff [were] telling us daily it will be good tomorrow!’ she said.
The Warwick resort came to life on Tuesday night as locals put on a fire show and performance for guests
The resort was packed with guests on Tuesday night, 72 hours after six tourists were rushed to hospital after consuming cocktails
Dozens of guests gathered on the beach on Tuesday night, where they were treated to Fijian entertainment
The Warwick resort on Tuesday night as more former guests shared their experiences
A brand of locally made rum in various flavours remain on the shelves at the hotel bar
‘They eventually opened it and actually let people swim in that brown dirty water. Many parents we spoke to said there kids were sick and vomiting and two out of my three [children] were ill also!
‘Overall the Warwick should not have the star rating it does as its a run down tired and disgusting resort with dirty smelly rooms and facilities. Rooms had little like termite ants all around the wooden wardrobe and wall mirror.
‘Other than the lovely people the place is horrid.’
A third woman who stayed at the hotel last year said she would never go back.
‘Aspects of the resort really let it down,’ she said.
‘Filthy swimming pool. Kids vomiting in the pool. All they did was scoop it out. Mouldy ceiling in my room. Poorly patched up hole in the wall.
‘[It’s] average at best.’
However, other frequent guests have rushed to the resort’s defence, saying they have never encountered any problems.
A former guest claims her husband fell sick after drinking the same cocktail at the resort two weeks ago. Pictured is one of the pools inside the resort, which has an adjoining bar
Pictured is the resort’s cocktail menu – however, they are currently unavailable for guests in the wake of the incident
‘I’ve been going for seven years and never had an issue,’ one man said.
‘It’s a top place. I love the Warwick.
‘Best cocktails I’ve ever had from around the world.’
Another wrote: ‘[I’ve] stayed there 12 times over the past 30 years. Never heard anything like this before happening there.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Warwick Resort for comment.
The new insight comes as guests currently staying at the resort were treated to a fire show and performances by locals on Tuesday night.
Photos show crowds of guests gathered at the nearby beach and poolside enjoying the entertainment
The resort released a statement earlier on Tuesday saying it was ‘deeply concerned’ by media reports surrounding the mass poisoning.
The business, which has operated for almost 40 years, described the incident as an ‘unprecedented event’.
‘We take the safety of our guests very seriously. We are currently working jointly with authorities to determine the cause of this unfortunate incident,’ the resort said.
‘We want to reassure all of our visitors that we maintain the highest standard of food and beverage safety.
‘We are committed to the health and safety of our guests, and are with our guests every step of the way as we investigate this unfortunate incident.’
Tanya Sandoe, 56, and her 19-year-old daughter Georgia Sandoe-Simpson are pictured arriving back on Australian soil on Monday after their Fiji holiday became a nightmare
Four Australians, an American, and a Fijian became critically ill on Saturday, suffering from symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms.
Witnesses previously told Daily Mail Australia victims were experiencing seizures, with one foaming at the mouth and another bleeding from the ear.
Two of the Australians discharged from Lautoka Hospital arrived home in Sydney on Monday night, where they were met by relieved family members.
A third Australian, understood to be an 18-year-old girl, was discharged from hospital on Monday evening, with authorities reportedly working to get her home on Tuesday night.
The two victims who remain in hospital are now stable and are expected to return home in the next two days.
Meanwhile, the resort has stopped serving cocktails as authorities work to determine the cause of the illness outbreak.
CCTV has been seized from the bar and ingredients from the drinks have been sent to Australia to undergo toxicology tests, with the results expected in coming days.
Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday revealed that a friend of one of the victim’s claims she was asked by the establishment to sign an indemnity form and reimbursed $160.
