Mum Awaits News Of Son Missing At Sea
Veera Wati, 66, stood at the jetty behind her house where her son departed for a routine fishing trip on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, but failed to return.
Sunday 06 March 2022 | 10:15
Veera Wati, 66, anticipates the safe return of her son, Roneel Kumar at the jetty behind her Naboro home on March 4, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar.
An elderly mother’s swollen eyes told the tale, as she waited at her house in Wainisalato Settlement in Naboro for her son’s safe return.
Veera Wati, 66, stood at the jetty behind her house where her son departed for a routine fishing trip on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, but failed to return.
Roneel Kumar, 38, left with his phone and power bank and was supposed to return on Thursday morning.
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She held an umbrella with one hand and her phone in the other, looking towards the sea hoping to catch a glimpse of her son or receive a call that he was okay.
“I just want him to return home safely,” she said.
“Sometimes he used to video call me from the sea to show the amount of fish he caught.
“He told me he would stay back if the weather was unfavourable.”
“He went fishing alone on Wednesday during the day and then again at night,” Ms Wati said.
“After he failed to return home on Thursday, my husband arranged a boat with my brother and they went to search for him around 9am.
“Upon searching they did not find him.
“We then contacted Police at 1pm.”
Ms Wati said her son has been a fisherman since 2019.
Mr Kumar had sent his last message to his wife who lived separately.
He left on a 25ft grey wooden punt towards Vunisoco and Kalokolevu.
Police confirmed search efforts were conducted by officers from the Lami Police Station and WATERPOL division.
They have urged mariners and those living in nearby coastal areas to call 917 if they have any information that could assist in locating Mr Kumar.
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