Aussie tourists have been warned their drinks could become spiked no matter where they are staying after a five-star resort in Fiji and a dingy hostel in Laos were at the centre of mass poisonings in two separate incidents.
Four Australians aged between 18 and 56 were among seven guests who were rushed to hospital on Saturday after drinking at Warwick Fiji on the holiday island’s Coral Coast.
One victim’s friend told Daily Mail Australia that she was ‘foaming at the mouth’ and suffering seizures while another was bleeding from her ears.
All the guests had improved to a stable condition as of Monday.
The 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.
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.
Aussie travellers have been urged to follow safe drinking practices overseas after two suspected incidents of methanol poisoning in recent weeks
Six people, four of which 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
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.’
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 had suffered a seizure after drinking the cocktail and was the most ill out of the pair.
Relieved grandmother Pamela Sandoe told Daily Mail Australia they have both been released from hospital and are now flying back home.
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.
Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, (pictured) suffered a seizure due to the suspected poisoning
Georgia’s mother, Tanya (left), was also hospitalised but the pair are now flying home after being cleared to travel on Monday
‘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.
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.’
Mr Long said a number of Aussies have also turned to travelling with kits capable of testing for methanol to remain safe.
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