Two Virgin Airways crew members were reportedly raped and robbed in Fiji on New Year’s Day.
Government officials have confirmed that a police investigation was launched after two alleged incidents involving Virgin Australia crew members in Nadi, a town on the main island of Fiji.
The two crew members, a man and a woman, were at the tourist spot while they made a stopover waiting to fly the next day.
Police have revealed that several crew members had gone to the Bar One nightclub in Nadi to ring in the new year before the alleged attacks in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Acting Fiji Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew said: “Unfortunately, two crew members were victims of an alleged robbery and rape after leaving the nightclub trying to find their way back to the lodge.”
Virgin has confirmed that it is aware of the alleged incidents and that support staff have been flown to the island.
Viliame R. Gavoka, Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, issued a statement detailing more about the claims.
“It is reported that an alleged robbery and sexual assault occurred, with the victims being crew members of a foreign airline.
“Our thoughts and concerns are with them and for their health and well-being.
“These alleged incidents are regrettable.
“There were two separate alleged incidents, one of alleged robbery and the other of alleged sexual assault involving two different crew members.”
Deputy Police Commissioner Mesake Waqa confirmed that the male victim was allegedly assaulted and the female victim was allegedly sexually assaulted.
The statement added that police have a known suspect in the alleged sexual assault and that he has been questioned.
Gavoka has reminded tourists “to exercise caution in nightclub areas and late at night.”
Both crew members are said to be well and are staying at a local lodge used as crew accommodation during stopovers.
The male victim had previously been taken to the hospital for facial injuries.
Three other members of staff were also asked to remain in the area to assist with the investigation and are due to return home at the end of the week.
A Virgin spokesperson said alphabet: “Our focus is on the well-being of our affected team members.”
Australian Flight Attendants Association federal secretary Teri O’Toole called the alleged incidents “very disturbing”.
“This is not a very common thing, but it’s also not something that has never happened before,” he told AAP.
“It is very worrying for his friends and colleagues, they are all very concerned for his well-being.”
The investigation into both incidents is ongoing.
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