Fiji police investigate alleged sexual assault of Virgin Australia crew member

Virgin Australia crew members were the victims of an alleged theft and sexual assault in Nadi, Fiji, on New Year's Day. Police are investigating.

• Fiji police are investigating alleged theft and sexual assault involving two Virgin Australia crew members.
• The incidents occurred in Nadi’s nightclub area; a suspect for the assault has been questioned.
• Virgin Australia sent representatives to support the crew, who will return home after assisting police.

Fiji police are investigating allegations of theft and sexual assault on two Virgin Australia crew members in the early hours of New Year’s Day, the Fijian Government said Thursday.

The alleged attacks took place Wednesday in the nightclub area of the city of Nadi, home to an international airport, Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka said.

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

“There were two separate alleged incidents, one being alleged theft and the other being alleged sexual assault, which affected two different crew members.

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

The crew members are at a local hotel used by the airline for layovers and they are set to return home this week after helping the police probe, the minister said.

Virgin Australia has sent representatives to Fiji to support the affected staff.

Australia’s foreign affairs department did not respond immediately to a request for information.

Gavoka, who is also the Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, said such attacks can happen anywhere and Fiji was not “immune”.

“We, as always, remind tourists to exercise caution in nightclub areas and late at night,” he said.

Fiji relies heavily on its tourism industry and attracts close to a million visitors a year.