Hero in the flood: Manasa Loco’s selfless act saves neighbour

When torrential rain and rising floodwaters swept through the Fiji Muslim League squatter settlement in Nabua on Sunday night, panic gripped families trapped in waist-deep water.

Amid the chaos, one man’s courage and compassion stood out. Manasa Loco, now hailed as a Good Samaritan by many.

Mr Loco’s story went viral after a video interview with the Fiji Sun revealed his heroic efforts to rescue 86-year-old Maya Lata, a heart patient who was alone in her home as floodwaters surged in.

Her house was inundated with mud, and the door jammed shut under the pressure of water.

“I saw the water rising and the bridge nearby under water,” Mr Loco recalled.

“I told my mum I was going to check on Miss Lata.”

What he found was alarming: the elderly woman trapped inside, unable to escape.

Without hesitation, Mr Loco climbed onto the roof to reach her. He helped her into dry clothes and stayed by her side through the night, ensuring she was safe and warm.

“I cleaned her house until 3am he said. “I was carrying water from the river, scrubbing her plates and clothes so she could at least sleep.”

But the ordeal didn’t end there. At dawn, Mr Loco discovered Miss Lata unconscious, showing signs of a stroke. Acting swiftly, he called an ambulance and rushed her to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, where she remains in the emergency ward. Her only daughter lives in Nausori, far from the flood-stricken settlement.

The flash flood left devastation in its wake, homes destroyed, belongings lost, and families without food or rest. Yet, in the midst of despair, Mr Loco’s bravery became a beacon of hope.

Social media users praised his selflessness, with some even calling for the Government to award him a bravery medal.

For Mr Loco, however, recognition is not the goal.

“I just wanted to help the needy, especially the elderly, during a crisis like that,” he said.

As the waters recede and residents begin to rebuild, one thing is certain: Manasa Loco’s name will be remembered as a symbol of humanity and courage in the face of disaster.