It is difficult not to be moved by the story of Waidra villager Josaia Rasilawale who discovered the body of a 33-year-old man who was reported missing with two children in the Rewa River on Saturday.
Yesterday, hours after discovering the body, he was still in a state of shock.
He could not get the image of the father of two out of his mind.
The man was travelling with his family across the river when he was reported missing with two children, his seven-year-old son and four-year-old nephew after the boat they were in capsized on Saturday afternoon.
After combing the large expanse of the river, Mr Rasilawale came upon the dead man.
“There have been a lot of drownings in this river, and it can be very cruel,” he said.
As Police confirmed the discovery of the third victim yesterday at Naduruloulou, we are reminded about the issue of water safety. Every life lost to drowning draws emotions for impacted families.
The hardest part is accepting the fact that people have died.
There is a vacuum that is never easy to fill. Last year, the World Health Organization said drowning was one of the leading causes of death globally for children and young people aged 1-24 years.
Every year, an estimated 236,000 people drowned.More than 90% of drowning deaths, it said, occurred in low- and middle-income countries, with children under the age of five being at highest risk.
These deaths were frequently linked to daily, routine activities, such as bathing, collecting water for domestic use, travelling over water on boats or ferries, and fishing.
The impacts of seasonal or extreme weather events – including monsoons – were also a frequent cause of drowning.
Yesterday Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACPO) Livai Driu acknowledged the efforts from the members of the community and Police officers who were involved in the search.
However, investigations, he said, would be focused also on possible negligence “and appropriate people will be charged”
.As we consider the drowning toll this year which is now 58 compared to 51 for the same period last year, we reflect on the need for us to raise the level of awareness that should be focused on water safety.
Many of us will be saddened by the turn of events, but we should be reminded that unfortunately, many of us do not know how to swim, and have no idea about water safety issues.
We live in a country surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and appreciating water safety is important.
It may save a life. It is equally important that we understand our limitations under various circumstances, and especially now as we head into the festive season, when many Fijians would be enjoying the many rivers, creeks, and beaches around us.
We are reminded that families are drowning in sorrow right now.
We hope for change, and for a better understanding of how to break the cycle of drowning. Water safety is everyone’s business.
