Severe Tropical Cylone Winston claimed four lives in Boitaci Village, Vanuabalavu.

Gauna Bale,82, his wife Salaseini Tavo, 85, Sakiusa Veiqaravi, 35 and 22 year old Temo Lesi all died in the same house.

Village headman Simeli Batibula, 50, said their village was the village of death on that day.

“The four died in the same house, it was a huge tragedy,” he said.

The late Sakiusa and Lesi died as heroes while trying to save their elderly aunty and uncle.

The house caved in while they were still inside.

Ms Tavo, Mr Veiqaravi and Mr Lesi died in the house while Mr Bale managed to crawl out.

While crawling, a huge wave came and he drowned as a result, said Mr Batibula.

“Luckily the cyclone and tidal waves happened during the day,” he said. Otherwise it would have been worse.

In Daliconi village, Losena Kautoga refused to leave her home at the height of the cyclone.

She urged her younger sister Sinate to stay.

Sinate however ran for cover.

She was killed when a roofing iron hit her.