Mereoni Ravudra is convinced that divine intervention saved her and her family after their vehicle plunged into the Vuniyasu River in Nadi due to the collapse of the Malakua Bridge on Monday night. On that fateful night, Ms. Ravudra was traveling with her sister Temalesi, cousin Akanisi Tokovou, and three young relatives: 15-year-old Jenifer Balebatiti, three-year-old Setaita Ravudra, and one-year-old Alipate Ravudra.
The family was just two meters from the bridge’s end when it unexpectedly crumbled, causing their car to fall into the river. Ms. Ravudra shared her terrifying experience, explaining that the car hit the bridge’s abutment before water started flooding in and the rearview mirror shattered. Her first instinct was to shield the baby.
Fortunately, a truck driver passing by quickly came to their aid, breaking the car’s windows to rescue the youngest occupants. Meanwhile, Ms. Ravudra’s cousin helped another child out of the vehicle and assisted their niece, who was unable to swim.
“I was swept away by the strong currents and pulled downstream,” Ms. Ravudra recounted. “I kept praying and fighting to reach the riverbank. My sisters’ encouragement pushed me to survive. Somehow, I made it. To be alive today feels like a miracle.”
The Ravudra family, hailing from Dratabu Village, is now calling for immediate actions to replace the bridge. “The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) and contractors were working on the bridge, supposedly to install supports. Their incomplete work could have cost lives,” stated Ms. Ravudra.
Concerns were echoed by Pranilesh Chandra, an advisory councilor for the affected areas, who mentioned that over 2,000 people depend on this bridge daily, including schoolchildren and numerous vehicles. “Despite raising the issue repeatedly, we’ve not received a response from the authorities,” Mr. Chandra added.
The bridge collapse has also caused a disruption of water supply to nearby communities since the main pipeline was located beneath it. Questions directed to Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau regarding plans for repairs have yet to receive answers. Meanwhile, police have confirmed that statements have been taken from the Ravudra family.
This incident underscores the urgent need for attention to infrastructure safety, especially when lives are at stake. It highlights the importance of community advocacy and the role of local representatives in addressing such critical issues.
In the face of adversity, the Ravudra family’s resolve and belief in miracles serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the power of perseverance and community support in challenging times.
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