Search efforts intensified yesterday for a 65-year-old man presumed drowned in the Northern Division. The man was reportedly swept away by strong currents while trying to cross a swollen river near Cogea Village on Monday afternoon. Despite attempts by local villagers to locate him, the search efforts were unsuccessful, compounded by police being unable to access the village due to flooded roads and river crossings.
In a separate but related incident, authorities recovered the body of a five-year-old foreign national in Sigatoka. The child had gone missing near the Biausevu waterfall, and police from the Sigatoka Forensics and Criminal Investigations Department later transported the victim’s body to the mortuary.
The country has been experiencing heavy rain and flooding, prompting the Fiji Meteorological Service to issue weather bulletins warning residents of deteriorating conditions across the Fiji Group. In light of this, police have urged the public to heed these warnings sincerely for their safety, reminding parents and guardians to keep a close eye on their children’s activities.
Authorities emphasized the dangers of attempting to cross flooded roads, river crossings, or swimming in swollen rivers, urging cooperation with safety advisories. It is crucial for the community to prioritize safety during such severe weather conditions, as these tragic incidents highlight the potential risks present amid natural disasters.