A gas cylinder explosion at a restaurant in Fiji’s capital has left multiple people injured, with two victims in critical condition on life support, authorities say.

The blast occurred on Tuesday afternoon in the kitchen of Zamzam Restaurant in the suburb of Samabula, in Suva. Emergency services rushed the injured to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, the country’s main referral hospital.

Fiji’s Ministry of Health confirmed that nine people were admitted with burn injuries. As of the latest update, two patients remain in critical condition on life support, while the others are being treated for inhalation injuries and facial burns. One person has since been discharged.

Doctors in the hospital’s emergency department are continuing intensive treatment efforts, focusing on stabilising those most severely injured.

Initial findings suggest the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak, though officials say a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause. The Fiji Police Force and the National Fire Authority are jointly leading the inquiry.

A representative from the restaurant said several staff members were among those seriously injured, including workers from a gas supply company. The restaurant’s owner described the incident as devastating and said she is cooperating with investigators.

Authorities have stressed that the dining area was not affected by the fire, which was largely contained to the kitchen.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about gas safety in commercial kitchens, as Fiji continues to investigate the circumstances behind the explosion.

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