Miracle Escape After Bridge Collapse

Mereoni Ravudra believes divine intervention saved her family after their car plunged into the Vuniyasu River in Nadi when the Malakua Bridge collapsed on Monday night.

Ms Ravudra was travelling with her sister Temalesi, cous­in Akanisi Tokovou, and three young relatives-15-year-old Jenifer Balebatiti, three-year-old Setaita Ravudra, and one-year­old Alipate Ravudra-when the harrowing incident occurred.

The family was just two me­tres from the bridge's end when it suddenly gave way, sending their car crashing into the river below.

As she recounted the ordeal, Ms Ravudra said the car struck the bridge's abutment before water began to pour in and the rear mirror cracked. Her immediate instinct was to protect the baby.

A nearby truck driver rushed to help, breaking the car's glass and rescuing the youngest passenger.

Ms Ravudra's cousin assisted another child and helped their niece, who couldn't swim.

"I was caught by the strong currents and pulled downstream," Ms Ravudra recalled.

"I kept praying and fighting to make it to the riverbank. My sisters kept shouting encouragement, and somehow, I made it.

"To be alive today feels like a miracle."

The Ravudra family, from Dratabu Village, is urging immediate action to replace the bridge.

"The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) and contractors were working on the bridge, possibly to install supports. Their incomplete work could have cost lives," Ms Rav­udra said.

Pranilesh Chandra, advisory councillor for the affected areas, echoed these concerns.

"More than 2000 people rely on this bridge daily, including schoolchildren and over 100 ve­hicles," Mr Chandra said.

"Despite raising the issue re­peatedly, we've received no re­sponse from authorities."

The bridge collapse also dis­rupted water supply to nearby areas, as the main pipeline ran beneath it.

Questions to Minister Ro Fil­ipe Tuisawau regarding repair plans remain unanswered. Meanwhile, police confirmed statements have been taken from the Ravudra fam­ily.

Feedback: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj