Police have confirmed the death of a 79-year-old woman in Rakiraki, who reportedly set herself on fire at her residence on Monday. Neighbors found her collapsed on a burning pile of rubbish and promptly took her to the hospital. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro stated that the woman died from severe burns.
Sashi Kiran, the Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, noted a concerning trend of older individuals facing loneliness and depression, particularly as younger generations move abroad, leaving behind elderly relatives. She urged community networks and faith groups to reach out to isolated seniors and provide them with support, ensuring they remain engaged and feel a sense of belonging in society.
“We can all contribute to suicide prevention. If we notice someone is feeling lonely, let’s make an effort to help them,” she emphasized. Kiran also mentioned that from January to June this year, there were 16 reported cases of elderly suicides.