GRIEF and disbelief gripped families of the nine men missing at sea off Kadavu, after authorities officially suspended the search following days of extensive operations.
“We cried when we heard the news relayed by the navy that they will stop looking for them,” said Miliakere Divadra, who is missing her husband Osea Vakaruru and three sons.
“We the family have not lost hope and we believe they are still out there, waiting to be rescued,” she said.
Relatives say they are not ready to accept the worst.
“We cannot say they are gone.”
Joana Vukatava, the wife of Lemeki Tikoitoga, pleaded that the search continue for another three days.
“Our children need their fathers,” she said.
The search has been officially suspended after days of coordinated air and sea operations, the Fiji Navy said yesterday, but monitoring will continue and the case remains open,” the navy said in a statement.
“Careful review of the coordinated and systematic searches by aerial and surface assets and total areas covered, prevailing weather and sea conditions, drift analysis, survivability considerations, and all information gathered during the search — including reported sightings, floating debris, and the confirmed recovery of the semi-submerged fiberglass boat identified as the missing vessel.”
Minister for Maritime Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the incident remains under investigation by MSAF.
He said safety compliance remains a concern.
