A market vendor from the Suva City Municipal Market has been confirmed dead by Police after a flame tree near the Suva Market kiosks fell on her.

Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro confirmed the death from the incident with other details to be released later.

Another female vendor was admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva as a result of the incident.

The flame tree is located near the road just after the entrance to the taxi stand. A branch broke off from the trunk at around 4.15pm yesterday.

The two women who were from Rakiraki had come to Suva to sell mangoes at the market. According to other vendors, they were seated right under the tree.

Shoe and bag repairman Donald Chaudhry, who was sitting right across from where the tree fell, explained the tragic incident as horrific. He said both ladies were in their 60s. He added that the tree fell on one of the ladies’ back and on the head of the other.

He said he ran to help the two ladies who had become stuck under the tree. He said men from the market and passing public helped lift the heavy branch off the two unconscious women.

He said the Police officers from the Market Police Post took the ladies to the hospital.

Kiosk operator Raj Sharma said the incident happened in a flash. He said the power was out in the market and alleged that as soon as the power came back on, the tree fell.

Suva City Council said Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) were the rightful authority to comment on the issue.

FRA legal department said they would need to get a full report before making any comments on the matter.

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