Villagers continue search for missing fisherman

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 28 MARCH 2022: Several villagers of Asau came together today to continue the search for a fisherman that went missing since Saturday 26 March 2022.

According to police, the missing fisherman is one of two who went fishing and the body of one had been recovered while the search continues for the other.

Police said the men went out despite not only the bad weather but the Covid State of Emergency orders which prohibited fishing during lockdown.

The police had to call off the search due to bad weather but continued the next day but could not find the body.

Villagers of Asau and relatives of the two men from Aopo continued the search today but without results.

A village woman told Talamua that it was an unfortunate incident and several young men of the village took their canoes out in an effort to find the missing fisherman.

At the same time, several people were sitting around the coastal area as if in a vigil hoping for the man’s return.

In a similar but a separate incident at Taga village, the body of another fisherman who went fishing on the same day was recovered after a police search.

Police continues to warn the public not to take risks during bad weather and also to heed the SOE orders.

Last month, the search for a young man from Saleaula village was called off as his body could not be found. He went missing after swimming with his brother on a Sunday afternoon. His brother made it to shore and he is still missing.