POLICE officers from Auki and Atori with the help from surrounding communities of Kwai-Ngongosila are still searching for two fishermen who went missing over the weekend.
The duo was believed to be brothers that set out to fish behind the Leili Island last Saturday.
Reports reaching this paper said the search is still on at the moment but with precautionary measures due to the current bad weather experienced in that side of the province.
Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Alfred Uiga also confirmed the report to the Solomon Star yesterday.
“Yes, I can confirm that two fishermen from Atori are missing as of last Saturday.
“Police is responding to the reports and searches were conducted on Sunday and Monday with the help from villagers and the surrounding communities.
“However, the searches are being scaled down due to the current bad weather because we don’t want to risk our lives.
“The police are considering safety here,” the PPC told this paper.
Mr Uiga told this paper that there are unconfirmed reports that the search parties have identified some belongings of the fishermen in the nearby seas which they believed the duo took with them on board.
He added that they have informed the Search and Rescue team as well as the operations department at the Rove headquarters on the matter.
The PPC also advised fishermen in the province to be careful and to stop from participating in any fishing activity.
“Last week, we have a similar incident here where a group of fishermen from Lilisiana village went out on a fishing trip and their boat capsized.
“Luckily they were all alive and well.
“My advice for all the fishermen in the province is that, since we are experiencing the current bad weather, I just want to call on all of you to stop from going out in the seas because our life is very precious to us and our families.
“I urge the public to work closely with police to scale down any fishing activities in the province,” Mr Uiga added.
Meanwhile, this paper understands that Malaita province is currently experiencing bad weather conditions since last weekend due to a low depression close to the province.
By RONALD TOITO’ONA
