Two Virgin Australia crew members were allegedly raped and robbed during a night out in the Fiji city of Nadi in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Acting Fiji Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew confirmed police were investigating the incident involving a male and female crew member who were staying at the popular tourist destination.
Fiji police say the woman was allegedly raped and the man robbed after leaving a nightclub in Nadi.
The man was taken to hospital for treatment of facial injuries.
It is understood that the incident occurred outside the Bar One nightclub in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Mr Zhou said: “Unfortunately, two crew members were robbed and raped after leaving the nightclub and trying to return to the hotel.”
The crew was due to fly out of the city the next day.
The airline has sent staff to Fiji to provide support to the crew.
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Villiam Gawoka expressed regret over the alleged incident and said suspects known to police for the alleged sexual assault have been interviewed and investigations are ongoing.
He reiterated that these were two separate incidents of theft and sexual assault affecting two different Virgin crew members.
Mr Gavoca said the crew was “in good health” and were staying at a hotel in Fiji to assist police with their investigations.
“They should be home by the end of the week,” he said.
“Our thoughts and concerns are with them and for their health and well-being.”
The South Pacific island nation of Fiji is a popular tourist destination, receiving 76,845 tourists in November, mostly from Australia, New Zealand and North America, according to the country’s tourism website.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of the reports.
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