Koroi Found, Family Thankful For His Life
We were coming from Suva bringing in the materials for the church steward’s house on Levuka-i-Gau and my brother wanted to go and get fish for our lunch to welcome us back to the village.
Monday 14 March 2022 | 14:00
The family of missing fisherman Kali Koroi is happy to have him back well and alive after he was reported missing at sea during a fishing trip.
Mr Koroi had been missing in the waters off Qarani, Gau Island since last Saturday.
The 49-year-old left his home in Levuka-i-Gau Village that morning for a fishing trip and did not return after an ordeal at sea.
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Mr Kali’s younger brother Mataiasi Koroi yesterday confirmed that after a successful search and rescue operation by villagers, his older brother was finally rescued.
“On Saturday just after 7am he went out fishing,” Mr Koroi said.
“We were coming from Suva bringing in the materials for the church steward’s house on Levuka-i-Gau and my brother wanted to go and get fish for our lunch to welcome us back to the village.
“What we gathered was that he went out fishing and what we understand is that he went outside of the reef.”
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that the matter was reported to Police early yesterday morning with search and rescue efforts activated.
Mr Koroi said at around 3.30pm yesterday they were told by a villager that his brother had been found.
He was rescued and brought back to the village around 4.30pm yesterday.
He added the story relayed to him by his brother was that his fiberglass boat had capsized forcing him to swim for hours until he was closer to the reef.
He said they were thankful that he was alive and well.
“He is recovering at the moment and we are also ensuring he gets medical attention.”
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