|
BA fears crew will be doped
20/08/2006 14:13 - (SA)
Hong Kong - British Airways has banned aircrew from visiting a bar in the popular Wan Chai district of Hong Kong after several staff claimed they were slipped a date-rape drug on the premises, a media report said on Sunday.
Both the airline and Britain's foreign office are investigating the incidents which involve the drug Rohypnol, the Sunday Morning Post said, which did not name the bar.
Speaking from London, an airline spokesperson said: "We are undertaking an investigation following a number of reports of crew feeling unwell after visiting the bar. We take the well-being and safety of our staff very seriously and are therefore erring on the side of caution."
At least four female flight attendants had reported over the last 12 months that they had been drugged with Rohypnol - a tasteless and colourless tranquilizer usually prescribed for insomnia.
The latest ban by the airline comes nine months after British Airways warned 13 000 air crew about drink tampering after three flight attendants said their drinks had been spiked in different parts of the world.
More than $250 000 worth of Rohypnol was sold in Hong Kong last year but police said its use as a date-rape drug was not a big problem, with just two reported cases in the first half of this year.
But the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women believes that date rape involving drugs and alcohol is an under-reported problem in Hong Kong.
Association executive Irene Ng said 51 women approached the group last year for help over drug-induced date rapes.
She said she believed the problem will get worse as the drugs are becoming more available at local pharmacies and on the internet.
- SAPA
|
News
