Mereoni Ravudra credits divine intervention for saving her family 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—15-year-old Jenifer Balebatiti, three-year-old Setaita Ravudra, and one-year-old Alipate Ravudra—when the traumatic event unfolded. Just two meters from the bridge’s edge, the bridge fell apart, causing the family’s car to crash into the river.
Describing the incident, Ms. Ravudra noted that the vehicle struck the bridge’s abutment, leading to water flooding in as the rear mirror shattered. Her instinct was to protect the baby during the chaos. A nearby truck driver came to the rescue, shattering the car’s glass to help extricate the youngest passenger. Meanwhile, Ms. Ravudra’s cousin helped another child who couldn’t swim.
“I was caught by the strong currents and pulled downstream,” Ms. Ravudra recounted. “I kept praying and fighting to make it to the riverbank. My sisters kept shouting encouragement, and somehow, I made it. To be alive today feels like a miracle.”
The Ravudra family, hailing from Dratabu Village, is calling for urgent action to replace the bridge. Ms. Ravudra emphasized that the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) and associated contractors have been working on the structure, and their unfinished tasks could have led to a tragic loss of life.
Pranilesh Chandra, an advisory councillor for the affected regions, supported these sentiments, highlighting that over 2,000 people, including schoolchildren and more than 100 vehicles, depend on the bridge daily. Despite repeated requests for attention to the issue, he noted the lack of response from authorities.
Additionally, the bridge’s collapse disrupted water supply to surrounding areas since the primary pipeline lay beneath it. Inquiries made to Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau concerning repair strategies have gone unanswered. Meanwhile, local police have confirmed that statements have been collected from the Ravudra family.
This incident underscores the critical importance of infrastructure safety and community support, prompting calls for immediate action from the authorities. Ms. Ravudra’s remarkable survival story also highlights resilience in the face of adversity, serving as a reminder of hope and unity in challenging times.
Leave a comment