Tourists staying at a five star resort in Fiji at the centre of a mass poisoning have been told that cocktails are off the menu – as authorities investigate what ingredient in the bar’s pina coladas caused six guests to become violently ill.
Four Australians, a Fijian, and an American were rushed to hospital on Saturday after drinking at Warwick Fiji on the holiday island’s Coral Coast, suffering symptoms including nausea and vomiting.
Five of the victims have since been discharged, including a Sydney mother and daughter who returned home on Monday night.
A second Australian mother and daughter remain in a stable condition at Lautoka hospital.
Fijian police have seized CCTV from the bar and toxicology tests are underway to determine how the tourists mysteriously fell ill, despite other guests drinking the same cocktail without developing any symptoms.
As the investigation continues, tourists have told Daily Mail Australia that guests at the hotel have been advised that cocktails are currently unavailable.
However, myriads of spirits – including vodkas, gins, whiskies, and rums – still remain on sale, and continue to be a popular choice for guests.
‘We checked in on Monday and were told by staff that cocktails were not being served at the moment, but when we later went down to the bar, there were still tonnes of spirits available,’ one guest, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
A staff member holds bottles of spirits as she tidies up the bar at the Warwick Resort in Fiji on Monday
Guests staying at the resort have been advised that cocktails are currently not available in light of Saturday’s incident
However, spirits – including the above shots – are still on the menu for guests
‘It was confusing that cocktails were off the cards but spirits – including shots – were still an option.’
The guest said the atmosphere at the resort was lively, however, it did seem quieter than would be expected at this time of the year days out from Christmas.
‘There are still people here – families with kids, couples, and groups of young people travelling with their friends,’ the guest said.
‘No one seems to be too deterred by what has happened. Everyone seems to still be drinking, engaging with the live performances, and having fun. The hotel staff are really nice and friendly and the resort has a really nice vibe.
‘But I imagined the resort would be packed around this time of year, and it seems rather quiet.’
Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that the government body was ‘devastated’ for those impacted by the incident.
He said authorities are mystified as to how the guests fell sick as the drink has been made using same method and ingredients – which include ice, coconut milk and a pre-mix – for years without any issues.
Mr Hill said the all the staff – including the bartender who has worked at the venue for 16 years – were all distressed by what had happened, and authorities are determined to work out what happened.
He stressed that tourists should be assured that Saturday’s events were a ‘very isolated incident’ for the resort, which has been in operation for 40 years.
Tourists could be seen enjoying beverages, which are not part of the cocktail menu, at the pool bar on Monday
A guest told Daily Mail Australia that the resort seems rather quiet for this time of the year
Pictured: A list of the cocktails the resort offers in its restaurants
It’s expected the results of the toxicology tests will be released in coming days.
Among those affected by the suspected alcohol poisoning were Tanya Sandoe, 56, and her daughter Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, from Sydney‘s upper north shore.
Georgia suffered a seizure after drinking the cocktail and was the most ill out of the pair.
Ms Sandoe and her daughter looked happy to be back on home soil as they wheeled their own luggage out of Sydney Airport shortly after 7pm on Monday night.
The mum and daughter beamed as they were reunited with Ms Sandoe’s parents David and Pamela and another male family member at a side exit, escorted by Australian Federal Police officers and out of the sight of most of the waiting media.
Ms Sandoe-Simpson was first to hug and kiss her grandfather, who then turned his attention to his daughter.
The Fiji incident comes after six tourists, including two Australians, were killed after drinking methanol-laced drinks at a two-star hostel in Laos in November.
While Fijian authorities are yet to determine if the latest incident is due to methanol poisoning, it has renewed calls for Aussies to be careful while drinking overseas.
Beverages remained on the menu at the resort bar on Monday
One of the poolside bars at the Warwick resort, which has been in operation for 40 years
Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, and her mother Tanya Sandoe, 56, are pictured returning to Sydney on Monday
Ms Sandoe-Simpson embraced her grandfather David as she arrived home after the ordeal
Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) CEO Dean Long told Daily Mail Australia methanol poisonings were rare, but could happen anywhere in the world.
‘These events, they do happen. They happen in Australia, they happen around the world and so they’re not destination specific,’ he said.
More than 400,000 Aussies travelled to Fiji in the past year – a holiday hotspot considered to be a ‘safe destination’ for tourists.
‘In this situation, these people have done everything right,’ Mr Long said.
‘They’ve had a drink at a beautiful venue. You would expect that to be the safest place you can be.’
Mr Long said individuals could substitute alcohol for methanol because it was cheaper or because they sought to ‘do harm’.
He added those responsible ‘need to be locked up’ and had complete trust in the Fijian government to investigate the matter thoroughly.
‘We know the Fijian government will throw the book at these people and they’re going to lock them up because the tourism industry is just so important to that community,’ Mr Long said.
Earlier this month, police arrested the owner of the factory identified as the suspected source of the Laos methanol poisoning.
The manufacturing plant is located outside the capital city Vientiane and is understood to have been making the local Tiger Vodka and Tiger Whiskey.
The recent round of arrests now means 12 people have been detained over their alleged connection to the poisonous alcohol.
Seven guests, including four Aussies, were hospitalised after drinking cocktails by the pool at Warwick Fiji resort (pictured) in the south of Fiji’s main island on Saturday night
The five star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast is 70km west of Suva, the nation’s capital
Mr Long urged Aussies to follow safe drinking practices no matter where they are overseas and how good the quality of the venue is.
His tips include keeping ‘an eye on their drink when it’s being made’ to make sure bottles aren’t contaminated or to ask for a fresh bottle of spirits.
‘But pre-mixed drinks that are sealed in a secure container are probably preferable while travelling,’ Mr Long said.
‘If you want to have some spirits, maybe buy them in Australia and take them overseas and consume them safely there, and then have those pre mixed, secured drinks when you’re out on the town.’