Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in Honiara are still searching for a missing man after recovering the body of a local woman who was found offshore near the South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC) compound in Central Honiara this evening, 19 April 2018.
Honiara City Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga says, “My Central Response Unit (CRU) officers along with PRT, Fire & Rescue and other officers from Honiara were deployed to the Tuvaruhu area to search for four missing people who may have been caught in rushing river water. This was after the body of a local woman was found offshore near the SSEC sea side.”
“It is believed that prior to the incident, the deceased was together with three men and another woman at the Tuvaruhu Water Fall area on leisure tour. Unfortunately the deceased was carried away by the strong running water of the Mataniko River after the heavy rain experienced late this afternoon,” says PPC Uiga.
He adds: “During the search, our officers were able to locate two of the men and one woman; all locals and they were taken to the Honiara National Referral Hospital for medical checks. One male is still missing and searches are ongoing.”
“At this stage, the cause of death of the women is not confirmed but it appears at this early stage she may have drowned in the river. Investigators and forensic officers attended the scene and the investigation is continuing,” says Chief Superintendent Uiga.
PPC Uiga says, “I appeal to members of the public in Honiara, more especially at Tuvaruhu area in Central Honiara to assist police with any information of the whereabouts of the male who is still missing.”