The body of 33-year-old Kaliova Selei of Navilawa Village in Sabeto was recovered on Wednesday, police confirmed, bringing to light the second fatality in a suspected drowning that began on Sunday. Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the body was located along the Matamanoa riverbank. Selei was a father of one.
Selei and his wife, 31-year-old Tagiyaco Vakaloloma, are believed to have been swept away by strong currents on Sunday afternoon while attempting to cross the Navilawa River with another man. Vakaloloma’s body was found earlier in the week; Selei’s discovery on Wednesday marks the latest and most tragic development in an intensive local search.
Villagers, relatives and police officers took part in search operations that combed the Navilawa and Sabeto rivers following reports the couple had gone missing. Community members joined formal efforts to trace the pair after they failed to return, and police maintained a presence in the area while inquiries continued. Authorities have not released details on the condition or status of the third person who had been crossing with the couple.
Ana Naisoro provided confirmation of the latest recovery but gave no further information on the circumstances that led to the couple being swept away or the formal cause of death. Standard procedure in such cases typically includes transferring recovered bodies for examination and completing inquiries to establish the sequence of events; police said investigations are ongoing.
The incident follows other recent river-related tragedies across the country, during which the Fiji Police have repeatedly urged the public to exercise caution when attempting river crossings, particularly amid heavy rain and swollen waterways. In one earlier case, a man was reported swept away near Cogea Village when attempting to cross a swollen river, highlighting the hazards posed by fast-flowing currents.
Locals described the search as a community effort, with residents and family members assisting police in scouring riverbanks and surrounding areas. The discovery of Selei’s body will allow authorities to continue formal procedures and provide clarity to relatives who have been searching since the couple were reported missing on Sunday. Police said enquiries will remain active as they piece together the events that led to the drownings.
Leave a comment