Fiji Police are investigating allegations of theft and sexual assault against two Virgin Australia crew members in the early hours of the New Year, the government said on Thursday.
The alleged attacks took place on Wednesday in the nightclub district of Nadi town, home to the international airport, Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka said.
“The alleged incidents are regrettable,” Gavoka said in a statement. statement.
“There were two separate alleged incidents, one being an alleged theft and the other an alleged sexual assault, which affected two different crew members,” he said.
“A suspect known to police for the alleged sexual assault has been questioned. The investigation continues.
The crew members are staying at a local hotel used by the airline for stopovers and are expected to return home this week after helping police investigate, the minister said.
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Virgin Australia has sent representatives to Fiji to provide support to affected staff.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Reuters news agency it was aware of the reports but declined to comment further.
Gavoka, who is also Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, said such attacks can happen anywhere and Fiji was not “immune”.
“As always, we remind tourists to exercise caution in nightclub areas and late at night,” he said.
The latest crime statistics released by Fiji Police in November, the crime rate for the month of October increased by 6% compared to the same period last year.
Fiji relies heavily on its tourism industry, with almost a million visitors per year.
Last month, seven foreign tourists, including an American, were hospitalized in Fiji after drinking cocktails at a resort bar. However, authorities later said that tourists not poisoned by alcohol or illegal drugs, officials said following a toxicology report.