A tragic incident in Labasa has led to the confirmation of a 55-year-old man, Edward Lal, as the first drowning victim in the Northern Division this year. His body was discovered by police officers on Wednesday near where his boat was moored at Naseakula Creek.
Edward’s father, 74-year-old Sambhu Lal, expressed his profound devastation, sharing that Edward left home around 8 a.m. on Tuesday to catch crabs and fish but never returned. Concerned for his safety, Sambhu enlisted the help of a neighbor, Shiu Sharma, to search for him after he failed to answer his phone.
Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, Sharma alerted the police and gathered neighbors to join in the search, but efforts were fruitless that night. The following morning, the search resumed, and it was not long before Edward was found floating in the mangroves, suffering injuries to his face.
Edward Lal was well-known in his community as a hardworking individual who sold crabs, fish, and homemade pickles. Just days prior to the tragedy, he had prepared $100 worth of pickles for sale. His father recounted how he was always willing to lend a helping hand to others in the community.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that a post-mortem examination will be conducted.
This incident follows a series of similar tragic drownings in the region, including the case of a 58-year-old man who drowned while diving for freshwater mussels in Nausori. Each of these events highlights the potential dangers of water activities.
Safety agencies are urging all marine and river users to exercise caution and adhere to safety protocols to prevent such heart-wrenching losses in the future. As these communities mourn their loved ones, there’s a collective hope that increased awareness can help avoid similar tragedies moving forward.
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