A father from Serea Village in Naitasiri, Sema Radrodro, is mourning the loss of his son, Alifereti Radrodro, who tragically drowned at Suva Harbour last Monday. The 28-year-old was swept away by strong currents while attempting to retrieve a drifting dinghy from the Lomaiviti Princess 8 vessel. Alifereti, an employee of Goundar Shipping Limited, could not overcome the waves and police suspended the search over the weekend without recovering his body.
Sema Radrodro spoke emotionally about his son, describing him as kind-hearted and ambitious. Alifereti was the oldest of nine siblings and had aspirations of becoming an engineer in the shipping industry. Sema recounted that Alifereti had a lengthy conversation with his mother just before the incident, and he never anticipated that would be their final talk.
The family is hopeful that Alifereti’s body will be recovered soon, with some cousins organizing a search party. They have plans to hold a memorial for him on Friday, hoping to find his body before then, to honor his life and relationships. Alifereti was well-liked and known for being supportive and friendly to everyone he met.
In times of grief, the community often rallies together, and the families of the missing can find strength in support from loved ones and friends. This tragic incident not only highlights the risks faced by those who work at sea but also underscores the profound impact of loss on families and communities.
This serves as a reminder to be vigilant about safety while engaging in activities near water. The hope remains that Alifereti’s family will be able to find closure in the coming days.
Leave a comment