Fiji has recorded 38 road fatalities this year, a significant decrease from the 62 reported during the same period last year, following a recent tragic accident.
On Tuesday morning, Setoki Niqara, a 27-year-old resident of Nailuva Village in Ra, lost his life in a collision on the Kings Highway, situated between Nalawa, Ra, and Rakiraki Town.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mitieli Divuana, Niqara was a passenger in a vehicle along with two others, being driven by a 28-year-old man. It is alleged that as the group was traveling from Rakiraki to Nalawa, the driver misjudged a bend, resulting in the vehicle veering off the road and crashing into a roadside market.
All passengers were quickly transported to the Rakiraki Hospital, where Niqara was declared dead. SSP Divuana reported that the driver and one passenger were treated and later discharged, while another passenger was moved to Lautoka Hospital for further care.
Niqara was the youngest of five siblings and lived with his family in Rakiraki Town. His elder sister, Kelera Ragidrau, shared that he was a humble and kind-hearted individual. She expressed the profound grief felt by the family, particularly their parents, stating, “It hurt us so much when we heard about his death. He was a very obedient man. I miss my brother.”
SSP Divuana confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing.