MERESEINI Vasunicakau was glad to be safe with her children and husband celebrating Resurrection Sunday at their home in Buliya, Kadavu.
They were among the 121 passengers on board the inter-island vessel MV Liahona II when the ramp broke just two hours after it left for Kadavu from Mua-i-walu Wharf in Suva on Thursday morning.
“We were on our way to Buliya Village to celebrate Easter with our family when the incident happened,” she said.
“We were expected to arrive at Naqara port at 8am on Friday after leaving Suva at midnight on Thursday but we reached at 6pm,” she said.
“I was worried because water started entering the vessel and our lives were at risk. This is the worst Easter ever for our family and one that my children will never forget. There was no food and we even had to buy bottled water when our children were thirsty, that cost around $5.
“There were a lot of children below the age of five. They were vomiting all over the vessel because it was cold and they were starving. I hope that inter-island vessels will ensure that nothing such as this happens to their passengers in the future and they cater to feeding their passengers for delays.”
In response, Brighton Holdings (Fiji) Ltd director Ulaisi Baivatu said they had provided meals to the passengers according to the fare paid. “I can confirm we had provided them with meals, it was dinner and breakfast,” he said.
