By Fiji reporter Lice Movono, ABC

• Local health officials say guests staying at Warwick Resort on Fiji’s Coral Coast fell ill after consuming a cocktail prepared at the resort on Saturday night.
• It is understood four of the seven affected tourists are Australian.
• Fijian police and health inspectors are investigating the incident.

A number of Australian tourists are in critical condition in hospital in Fiji after what authorities say is a suspected case of alcohol poisoning.

Local health officials say seven guests staying at the Warwick Resort on Fiji’s Coral Coast fell ill after consuming a cocktail at the resort’s bar on Saturday night.

They were taken to the nearby Sigatoka Hospital with “nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms”.

Two of the group were later taken to the Lautoka Hospital, north of Fiji’s tourist hotspot of Nadi, because of the severity of their conditions.

The ABC understands one, a 56-year-old Australian woman, is under constant surveillance in hospital. Another, a 19-year-old woman, is also experiencing serious medical episodes from the suspected poisoning.

It is understood two other Australian women, a 49-year-old and an 18-year-old, are still critical but their conditions are currently not as serious.

It is not yet known what the group consumed to cause the medical episodes.

It is understood four of the group of seven who fell ill are Australians. The nationalities of the other three are not yet known.

Fiji Police confirmed they are investigating the incident and along with local health inspectors.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesperson said consular assistance was being provided to two Australian families in Fiji.

On Sunday, DFAT’s Smartraveller website updated its travel advice for Australians in Fiji, warning tourists to be aware of “the potential risks around drink spiking” and advising they “exercise normal safety precautions”.

“Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks,” the Smartraveller advisory said.

“Get urgent medical help if you suspect drink spiking.”

– ABC