A family in Nadroga is grieving the tragic loss of 26-year-old Sakenasa Rakaira, who drowned in the bay off Muka Village last week. Rakaira’s uncle, Sakiusa Koroicivi, recounted how the father of two had returned from work the previous Thursday and decided to go diving for fish.
During his dive, he encountered a severe accident when he was swept away by strong currents. Despite efforts to rescue him, Rakaira became tired as he struggled against the powerful water. He had gone missing around 8 p.m. on Thursday, and his body was discovered by searchers on Saturday afternoon at Muka Bay reef.
SSP Iakobo Vaisewa, Divisional Police Commander West, confirmed that Rakaira had gone diving with a workmate, who had advised him to stay in the shallows due to not having proper fishing gear. However, when the friend turned back, he saw Rakaira being carried away by the currents and was unable to save him.
Rakaira leaves behind two young children, aged three and four, and was known as a diligent construction worker and a dedicated father. His family is now preparing for his funeral, following a postmortem as advised by authorities.
Overall, this unfortunate incident raises awareness about the dangers of ocean activities and highlights the importance of safety measures while diving. Despite this tragic loss, the memories of Rakaira as a hardworking individual and loving father will remain in the hearts of his family and community.
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