A family in Moto, Ba, is facing profound grief following the tragic loss of 19-year-old Iziyan Ali, who died in a car accident on Wednesday night just moments before reaching home. The accident has devastated his relatives, who are still reeling from an earlier tragedy involving the loss of Iziyan’s sister, Zakia Bibi, her husband, and their two-year-old son in a house fire in Nadi weeks ago. The cumulative impact of these losses has left the family deep in sorrow.
Iziyan’s funeral took place yesterday afternoon, adding to the heartbreak his family and the community are enduring as they grapple with their profound losses. This recent incident is part of a troubling trend in Fiji, which has recorded 38 road fatalities in 2023, a decrease from 62 at the same time last year. However, these tragedies underscore ongoing safety concerns on the roads, particularly given the recent accidents that claimed young lives, including that of another local resident, Setoki Niqara, who lost his life in a car crash just days before Iziyan’s incident.
In light of these growing concerns, the Fiji Police Force, led by Senior Superintendent Mitieli Divuana, is emphasizing the need for responsible driving practices and raising public awareness to prevent further tragedies. There is a hopeful sentiment that ongoing efforts towards enhancing road safety can lead to safer journeys for all road users, ultimately minimizing such heartbreaking accidents in the future.