Death toll from Cyclone Winston in Fiji now stands at 20

20 people in Fiji have lost their lives as a result of Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.

This has been confirmed by National Disaster Management Office Director Akapusi Tuifagalele.

10 people have lost their lives in the Western Division confirmed by Divisional Planning Officer West, Sitiveni Tavaga.

Seven of the deceased are from Ra; one from Nadi and a 48-year-old from Lautoka.

Two of the seven people who lost their lives in Ra drowned during storm surges at the height of TC Winston – one of them was 97-year-old.

Of those deaths in Ra four were hit by flying debris, while one died after a house collapsed.

Three people lost their lives in Nadi – one of whom died during medical evacuation from Ra.

Tavaga also confirmed that seven fishermen from the Yasawas are missing at sea.

They had gone out to sea on Friday and have not been heard from since.

There are 68 evacuation centres billeting 701 families from Navosa, Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and Nadarivatu.

There are currently 4,184 evacuees.

Authorities are waiting for water to recede before any contact can be made.

DISMAC has also confirmed five deaths Sunday – one from Koro Island, two from Ovalau, one from Qelekuro in Tailevu and one from Nasau in Ra.

Meanwhile, Preliminary reports on the ground estimate that 150 houses have been completely destroyed in the Eastern Division.

This is according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

It is also reported that a further 60 houses have been damaged, According to Fiji TV.



SOURCE: FBC NEWS