Two die in quarry landslide, one missing
Mau villager Epeli Digitibau (left) who helped retrieve the bodies at the scene of the landslide at a quarry in Mau, Namosi yesterday. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA
A HORRIFIC landslide at a quarry in Mau, Namosi, yesterday claimed the lives of two men.
One of the victims was a 38-year-old man from Tavualevu Village, Tavua, who had been living at Vakabalea in Navua.
Aporosa Ralulu’s body, along with that of another colleague were retrieved around 3pm by firefighters and police officers.
The body of their supervisor, believed to be a foreigner, is believed to still be buried at the work site.
A fourth employee is understood to have survived the disaster.
Another worker, Inoke Nodra, said he worked with the deceased for the past four years.
“He was known as ‘Abo’ to us and we worked together at Fiji Hardwood before joining this company,” he said.
“Abo worked as a mechanic and he was really good at his job, a very reliable person to work with.
“It’s really unfortunate that this has happened, we have lost a colleague, friend and a brother.
Mr Nodra said Mr Ralulu had made a request for water a few hours before the alleged incident happened.
“He had asked me to get water to the site, but before I could take it up to them the incident happened and it was late for us to do anything.
“We mourn his passing and are thinking of his wife and five children during this time,” Mr Nodra said.
The quarry, located on a 29-hectare site, was involved in the extraction and supply of rock materials for the building and construction industry.
National Disaster Management Office director Vasiti Soko advised companies to refrain from operating quarries when the weather was not favourable.
“Works to retrieve the other body will continue once the weather normalises, at the moment we will need to bring experts to assess the site,” Ms Soko said.
One of the victims was a 38-year-old man from Tavualevu Village, Tavua, who had been living at Vakabalea in Navua.
Aporosa Ralulu’s body, along with that of another colleague were retrieved around 3pm by firefighters and police officers.
The body of their supervisor, believed to be a foreigner, is believed to still be buried at the work site.
A fourth employee is understood to have survived the disaster.
Another worker, Inoke Nodra, said he worked with the deceased for the past four years.
“He was known as ‘Abo’ to us and we worked together at Fiji Hardwood before joining this company,” he said.
“Abo worked as a mechanic and he was really good at his job, a very reliable person to work with.
“It’s really unfortunate that this has happened, we have lost a colleague, friend and a brother.
Mr Nodra said Mr Ralulu had made a request for water a few hours before the alleged incident happened.
“He had asked me to get water to the site, but before I could take it up to them the incident happened and it was late for us to do anything.
“We mourn his passing and are thinking of his wife and five children during this time,” Mr Nodra said.
The quarry, located on a 29-hectare site, was involved in the extraction and supply of rock materials for the building and construction industry.
National Disaster Management Office director Vasiti Soko advised companies to refrain from operating quarries when the weather was not favourable.
“Works to retrieve the other body will continue once the weather normalises, at the moment we will need to bring experts to assess the site,” Ms Soko said.