Search continues for father who rescued wife at Laulea

Kei fai hono kumi e tangata ta'u 24 ko Viliami Vaka'uta mei Kolomotu'a ne mole 'i he tahi Laulea he 'aho Kilisimasi

A search at sea at Laulea Beach, Fatumu, for the father who hasn’t been seen since Christmas day continued today.

Viliami Vaka’uta, 24, is presumed dead after he attempted to save her wife in the water at about 2pm.

Police reportedly said a palangi man was also rescued after he attempted to help save the wife.

The incident devasted the family.

A relative claimed on Facebook this evening December 27 Police and the rescue team have not found him.

“The divers and the rescuers are still out there searching for his body. It has been the worst Christmas ever for his families and our families,” she wrote.

 “My heart breaks for my niece and I can not begin to imagine how she feels and listening to my sister crying out to me makes it much even harder !!!”

“I felt so helpless that I cant even hug her and her daughter and be there to comfort them. My heart goes out to his mother and his father and all his families.”

 Laulea beach is one of the most dangerous places in Tonga to go swimming due to powerful rip currents and waves that are known to sweep people out to sea.

In 2017 Soane Tangipa ʻAtaʻata died after he went swimming at the beach.

In 2015  ‘Inoke Mapaleve Mo’unga, 32,  of Kolonga drowned at the beach after  visiting there with his wife and friends.

In 2012   Catholic priest, Father Mikaele Mateo , 37, died at Laulea Beach while helping to rescue his five young nephews who were swept out to open sea by strong currents.

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