Police report one death on New Years day

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – 03 January 2024: Police have confirmed the death of a 49 year old New Zealand fisherman on New Years’ day, Monday 01 January 2024.

Deputy Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tia’i confirmed with Talamua that after the fireworks display on New Year’s Eve, police received a call of a dead person on a fishing vessel that just returned to the Savalalo port.

Details of the cause of death are yet to be determined as police await the Coroner’s form for a post mortem but the date of death is noted as Monday 1^st January 2024.

She said the deceased has resided in Samoa since 2011.

Death at Salelologa
Papali’i also confirmed the death of a 26 year old man at Salelologa on New Years eve, Sunday 31^st December 2023.

The time of death is not known but the body was found in the evening and the police report from Tuasivi, Savaii suspect the deceased died from self-inflicted wounds and a post mortem is also expected.

Traffic and domestic incidents
The police special operations for the festive season started from 22^nd December to 5^th January 2024 and only then can the full report of incidents be determined.

However, Papalii said there has been an increase in the number of domestic violence and also traffic incidents but “no major ones that resulted in death.”

The only traffic incident which landed people at the hospital happened a day before Christmas at Salelavalu, Savai’i where 6 people were involved.

Papalii said no arrests have yet been made.

“Until the operation is over and the numbers recorded can police compile the festive season final report,” said Papalii.