A tragic incident has cut short the hopes of a 16-year-old student from Ratu Navula College to reunite with his classmates as school resumes next week. Malakai Tubea drowned in the Narewa River in Nadi on Thursday morning while swimming with members of a church youth group.
The unfortunate event transpired around 10:30 AM when Malakai attempted to cross the river behind two friends who had already made it safely to the other side. Eyewitness Philip Samo detailed how Malakai struggled against the powerful current, which was exacerbated by high tide conditions.
“He reached the middle of the river and it was high tide,” Samo stated, describing the depth and strength of the water. He noted that Malakai appeared to suffer from muscle cramps and began calling out for help. Sadly, initial calls for assistance were mistaken for a joke, which delayed a prompt response. A relative who tried to swim to his aid was unable to reach him in time.
A search was initiated by those nearby, and tragically, Malakai’s body was recovered from the river around 1:30 PM. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Nadi Hospital. The police have confirmed that investigations into the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking drowning are ongoing.
Malakai had been living with his aunt in Qeleloa, Nadi, following the loss of his father, making this incident even more poignant for his family and community. This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the importance of water safety, especially in conditions that can quickly become dangerous. The local community mourns the loss of a promising young life and stands together to support each other in this difficult time.