Three young lives lost in Nadi drowning tragedies

Three young girls have died in two separate suspected drowning incidents at Wailoaloa Beach in Nadi, bringing Fiji's national drowning toll to 50.

The incidents occurred yesterday, Monday, November 9, involving girls aged five, seven and eight.

In the first incident, two girls, aged eight and seven, were found floating in waters near Wailoaloa Beach by bystanders.

The girls had accompanied their mother for a picnic when the tragedy occurred.

In a separate incident at the same beach, a five-year-old girl was found floating near the shoreline by bystanders.

The child had accompanied her father for a picnic.

Both cases will be investigated for alleged negligence.

The three deaths bring the national drowning toll to 50, compared with 31 during the same period last year.

The latest tragedies have renewed calls for parents and guardians to closely supervise children, particularly around beaches and other bodies of water.

The warning emphasised that drowning can be prevented through appropriate safety precautions and constant supervision.

It also highlighted the risks of complacency, particularly involving children and people who are less confident swimmers.