Six Fijian healthcare workers missing at sea

A major search and rescue operation is continuing in Fiji’s Lau Waters, with authorities appealing to boaties and coastal communities for information as the search for six healthcare workers enters its second day.

The six were travelling aboard the Ministry of Health and Medical Services vessel MD Ono-i-Lau on a medical outreach mission when the vessel failed to arrive at Oneata as scheduled.

The vessel left Moce at around 7am yesterday and was expected to reach Oneata approximately two hours later.

When it did not arrive, the district nurse at Oneata alerted Lakeba Sub-Divisional Hospital, prompting search teams to be mobilised.

The vessel’s boat handler was found this morning and is now receiving treatment at Lakeba Hospital.

The six healthcare workers still missing are a Medical Officer, Dental Officer, Charge Nurse, Peer Educator, Health Inspector and Dental Assistant.

According to information provided by the boat handler, the vessel’s engine failed before it began taking on water.

The occupants put on life jackets and used wooden floor planks as flotation devices.

The boat handler then swam towards Aiwa Island in an attempt to get mobile phone reception, leaving the six healthcare workers in the water, wearing life jackets and reportedly uninjured at the time.

The Fiji Police Force, Fiji Navy Rescue Co-ordinating Centre, Office of the Commissioner Eastern and other partner agencies are assisting with the search.

Command centres have been established at Lakeba Sub-Divisional Hospital and the Eastern Health Divisional Office to coordinate the response.

Alerts have also been issued across all eight villages in Lakeba, while community leaders in Nayau, Vanuavatu and Moala, as well as the Lomaloma Medical Team, have been notified.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services said informing the families of the missing healthcare workers remains a priority and that their next of kin will continue to receive updates as more information becomes available.

Authorities are urging seafarers, mariners, boaties and coastal communities travelling through the Lakeba-Oneata passage to remain vigilant and report any sightings that could help locate the missing healthcare workers.