A search is underway for a 5-year-old girl of Naituvatuvavatu Village, Wainibuka in Tailevu after she was washed away by strong river currents while crossing the Waisomi River.
Police say she was crossing the river with her 32-year-old aunt and seven other children after returning from picking edible fiddlehead fern when the incident happened yesterday.
The matter was reported to Police by the Turaga ni koro of Naituvatuvavatu Village.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu says three Police Officers were deployed to assist in the search yesterday.
Driu says the search had to be called off because it was dark and also because of unfavorable weather but search will continue today.
He says parental supervision is important, especially during this time of the year.
Driu says parents need to be more responsible and vigilant with children during this school break and adds they need to spend more time with their children and not at gatherings.
