Fishers From Nakasi Alive And Well In Kadavu

The two missing fishers, who were reported missing on January 28 near Nukulau, are alive and well in Dravuni, Kadavu.

After drifting for two days at sea, cousins Neeru Christopher, 33, Areieta Tiaon, 32, made it to an uninhabited island in Kadavu.

It was Mr Tiaon who swam to Dravuni and made contact with those there.

Speaking at their home in Nakasi, Mr Christopher’s sister, Nisi Christopher, said they relieved that they finally got the news they were waiting for.

“I managed to speak to my brother and cousin,” she said.

“They are still traumatised, but both are recovering well in Dravuni Village,” she said.

“The news that we got from the village headman is that Areieta was found first.

“Their boat engine had given up.”

She said her brother always loved fishing.

“The sea was his playground,” she said.

“They always practise safety at sea and they would always know what to do in case of an emergency.

“That gave me hope that whatever the situation was he would make it out alive,” she said.

Mr Christopher’s partner, Sereima Qasewalu said: “I have been having sleepless nights since they got missing. But today I am just so happy to receive news that they have been rescued.”

She also thanked the Dravuni villagers for taking care of them and all efforts by the Fiji Police Force search and rescue team.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that the two were rescued in the Kadavu waters yesterday.

Dravuni Village headman Joji Kovelali said: “Yesterday morning Areieta swam to Dravuni and was noticed by the village men who went to his rescue.

“He told us that his cousin was also on the uninhabited island and we took a boat to rescue him from where he was.”

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