TWO Virgin Airlines crew members were reportedly raped and robbed in Fiji on New Year’s Day.
Government officials confirmed a police investigation has been launched after two alleged incidents involving crew members from Virgin Australia in Nadi, a city on Fiji’s main island.
The two crew members, a man and a woman, were in the tourist hotspot while on a layover waiting to fly out the following day.
Police revealed several crew members had all 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.
Fiji Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew said: “Unfortunately, two of the crew members were victims of an alleged theft and rape after exiting the night club trying to find their way back to the hotel.”
Virgin has confirmed it is aware of the alleged incidents and support personnel have been flown out to the island.
Viliame R Gavoka, Fiji’s deputy prime minister and minister for tourism and civil aviation, released a statement detailing more about the claims.
“It is reported that an alleged theft and sexual assault occurred, with 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 being alleged theft and the other being alleged sexual assault which affected two different crew members.”
Assistant Police Commissioner Mesake Waqa confirmed that the male victim man was allegedly robbed and the woman was allegedly sexually assaulted.
The statement added that the police have a known suspect for the alleged sexual assault and that they have 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 hotel used for crew accommodation during layovers.
The male victim had previously been taken to the hospital for facial injuries.
Three other staff members have also been asked to remain in the area to help with the investigation and they are due to return home by the end of the week.
A spokesperson for Virgin told ABC: “Our focus is on the wellbeing of our team members affected.”
The Flight Attendants’ Association of Australia’s federal secretary, Teri O’Toole called the alleged incidents “very disturbing”.
“This is not a very common thing but it’s not something that’s never happened before, either,” she told AAP.
“It’s very disturbing for their friends and colleagues, everyone is very concerned for their welfare.”
The investigation into both incidents is ongoing.
