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Safety issues raised after Fiji tourist drowns
A floating bar and restaurant in Fiji denied deficiencies in staff training as an investigation continues into a tourist’s death.
The owner of Seventh Heaven denied the claims staff were not equipped or trained to deal with the emergency.
A Chinese university student residing in Australia drowned earlier this month.
The student had gone into the water and got into difficulty.
Other guests on the two-tier floating platform said the rescue of the man was handled badly, which are claims the company denies.
“I can say with a hand on my heart that we did everything correctly,” director of Seventh Heaven, Eddy Rotteveel said.
“Staff tried to revive the victim and rushed him to the Nadi Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigations continue,” Police said following the incident.
Other guests there at the time said there seemed to be a lack of urgency in helping him.
The Seventh Heaven incident report issued to Emergency Medical Services Fiji, said the guest ‘removed his own life jacket.’
Lifeguards had provided \immediate assistance,’ it said.
Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill has backed Seventh heaven’s handling of the incident.
“Guests are given instructions regarding life vest use and other mandatory safety elements,” he said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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