Virgin Australia crewmembers allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed in Fiji

Fiji police are investigating allegations of theft and sexual assault on two Virgin Australia crew members within the early hours of New 12 months’s Day, the federal government mentioned Thursday.

The alleged assaults befell Wednesday within the nightclub space of town of Nadi, residence to the worldwide airport, Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka mentioned.

“The alleged incidents are regrettable,” Gavoka mentioned in a statement.

“There have been two separate alleged incidents, one being alleged theft and the opposite being alleged sexual assault, which affected two completely different crew members,” he mentioned.

“A suspect identified to police for the alleged sexual assault has been questioned. Investigation continues.”

The crew members are at a neighborhood resort utilized by the airline for layovers and they’re set to return residence this week after serving to the police probe, the minister mentioned.

Virgin Australia has despatched representatives to Fiji to supply assist for the affected employees.

Australia’s Division of International Affairs and Commerce instructed the Reuters information company it was conscious of the experiences however declined to remark additional.

Gavoka, who can also be the minister for tourism and civil aviation, mentioned such assaults can occur wherever and Fiji was not “immune.”

“We, as at all times, remind vacationers to train warning in nightclub areas and late at night time,” he mentioned.

The newest crime statistics posted by Fiji police in November confirmed the crime charge for the month of October elevated by 6% in comparison with the identical interval final yr.

Fiji depends closely on its tourism trade, with near 1,000,000 guests a yr.

Final month, seven international vacationers, together with an American, have been hospitalized in Fiji after consuming cocktails at a resort bar. Nonetheless, authorities later mentioned the vacationers have been not poisoned by alcohol or illicit medication, officers mentioned following a toxicology report.