Fiji has reported a total of 38 road fatalities this year, a significant decrease from 62 during the same timeframe last year, following a recent tragic accident.
On Tuesday morning, 27-year-old Setoki Niqara from Nailuva Village, Ra, lost his life in a crash along the Kings Highway, which connects Nalawa, Ra, and Rakiraki Town.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mitieli Divuana, Niqara was a passenger in a vehicle alongside two others, driven by a 28-year-old man. It is alleged that as they traveled from Rakiraki to Nalawa, the driver failed to navigate a bend, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and collide with a roadside market.
All occupants were transported to Rakiraki Hospital, where Niqara was pronounced dead. SSP Divuana noted that the driver and one passenger were treated and discharged, while the second passenger was transferred to Lautoka Hospital.
Niqara was the youngest of five siblings and lived with his family in Rakiraki Town. His elder sister, Kelera Ragidrau, described him as a humble and kind-hearted individual. “It hurt us so much when we heard about his death, especially our parents. He was a very obedient man. I miss my brother,” she expressed.
SSP Divuana confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing.