Police investigating after 3 Americans found dead at Bahamas hotel, 4th airlifted to hospital
Three U.S. tourists have died at a resort in the Bahamas after falling ill, officials of the Atlantic island nation and the U.S. State Department confirmed, and another was airlifted to a hospital for treatment.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Sunday that they are "closely monitoring local authorities' investigation into the cause of death." The names of the individuals were not released.
Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper issued a statement Friday saying that police are investigating and the cause of death was unknown, though foul play "is not suspected."
Their identities were not initially made public, but the Royal Bahamas Police Force released a statement indicating they were investigating the deaths of two men and a woman.
The health minister, Dr. Michael Darville, told Eyewitness News Bahamas on Saturday that some hotel guests went to a clinic Thursday with nausea and vomiting, were treated and left. Three were later found dead. A fourth person was flown to a hospital in New Providence.
He said environmental health scientists, physicians and others were investigating to ensure there was not a public health hazard.
"We feel that what we are seeing is an isolated case associated in a particular area," he said, adding that investigators are doing toxicology and blood tests to help determine the cause of the illness.
Cooper was filling in for Prime Minister Philip E. Davis, who was out of the country.
The head of communications for the prime minister's office, Latrae L. Rahming, tweeted that the deaths occurred at Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma.
In a statement to People Magazine, a representative for Sandals confirmed the deaths and said the company was "actively working to support both the investigation as well as the guests' families in every way possible."
"It is with deep sadness that we can confirm the passing of three guests at Emerald Bay Resort on May 6, 2022," Sandals said in the statement obtained by Our News Bahamas.
Bahamas News Now tweeted video of a plane it said was carrying an American woman to Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau.
There was no immediate further response to an Associated Press inquiry to the hotel company on Saturday.
