Mereoni Ravudra is convinced that divine intervention played a crucial role in saving her family’s lives after their vehicle plunged into the Vuniyasu River in Nadi, following the collapse of the Malakua Bridge on Monday night.
Ms. Ravudra was traveling with her sister Temalesi, cousin Akanisi Tokovou, and three young relatives, including 15-year-old Jenifer Balebatiti, three-year-old Setaita, and one-year-old Alipate Ravudra, when they encountered the frightening incident. They were just two meters from the end of the bridge when it gave way, sending their car crashing into the river below.
As she recounted the experience, Ms. Ravudra described how the car struck the bridge’s abutment, causing water to rush in and cracks to form in the rear mirror. Her immediate reaction was to safeguard the baby. A passing truck driver quickly came to their aid, breaking the windows of the car to help rescue the youngest passenger. Meanwhile, Ms. Ravudra’s cousin assisted another child who couldn’t swim.
“Caught in the strong currents, I was pulled downstream,” Ms. Ravudra recounted. “I continued praying and fighting to reach the riverbank. My sisters shouted words of encouragement, and somehow, I managed to make it. To be alive today feels like a miracle.”
The Ravudra family, hailing from Dratabu Village, is now calling for urgent action to replace the bridge, highlighting concerns over the ongoing construction by the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA). Ms. Ravudra indicated that the incomplete work might have endangered lives. Advisory councillor Pranilesh Chandra supported these concerns, noting that the bridge is vital for over 2,000 daily commuters, including schoolchildren and approximately 100 vehicles.
Additionally, the bridge’s collapse disrupted water supply to nearby communities, as the main pipeline was located beneath it. Attempts to gain information from Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau regarding repair plans have not been met with responses, while police have confirmed that statements have been collected from the Ravudra family.
This incident underscores the importance of infrastructure safety and the need for timely interventions to protect the well-being of communities that rely on these essential connections. The miraculous survival of the Ravudra family serves as a reminder of the resilience of individuals in the face of adversity, and the call for improved safety measures could lead to better protection for all who traverse the area.
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