Trip To Makadru Turns Fatal

An Austrian couple are c ou nt i n g themselves lucky after they survived five-metre-high surf breakers while trying to map out a no-fishing taboo zone for Makadru Village in Matuku, Lau.

Thursday 02 March 2023 | 12:02

Ivamere Nataro-Tunidau

Investigative Reporter

The Australian couple, Birgit Hackl and Christian Feldbauer, in Suva on March 1, 2023. Photo: Ivamere Nataro

An Austrian couple are c ou nt i n g themselves lucky after they survived five-metre-high surf breakers while trying to map out a no-fishing taboo zone for Makadru Village in Matuku, Lau.

But, it was unfortunate for Makadru Village headman, Maikeli Tamani, who drowned during the sea ordeal.

Mr Tamani was accompanying yachties Birgit Hackl and Christian Feldbauer to take underwater pictures of a reef passage, which was proposed to be a no-fishing area.