AN elderly woman is believed to be the third drowning victim this year after being found floating in a river in Navunikabi, Wainimala yesterday morning.
This was confirmed by the Fiji Police Force spokeswoman Ana Naisoro yesterday afternoon.
"The body of a 53-year-old woman was found floating in a river," she said.
"She had gone to collect firewood when the alleged mishap occurred.
"Her body is now at the Navua Hospital awaiting post-mortem examination.
"We will wait for the post-mortem result before classifying her death.
"However, the drowning toll stands at two compared to three for the same period last year," said Ms Naisoro.
Last year, there were 75 deaths by drowning, something which police said was the highest in the past 13 years.