A 24-year-old fisherman was swept out at sea in Lotofaga and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority are scouring the area all the way to Aleipata in a bid to find him. 

This was confirmed by the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (F.E.S.A.) Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga in response to Samoa Observer questions. 

He also issued a stern warning for members of the public to heed weather warnings. 

“It is very sad to seeing the public taking weather warnings lightly,” said Tanuvasa. 

He said that F.E.S.A continues to reminds the public that safety should be a priority. 

“When the Samoa Meteorology Division, issues warnings of heavy rain, flooding and wind warnings for the islands of Samoa, the public should not downplay this; it is important the public including fisherman take the warnings seriously as they are issued for a reason for safety purposes," he said. 

He said that the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and the Ministry of Police and Prisons were out there at Lotofaga and Aleipata trying to recover the body of the fisherman. 

“[A] search party from F.E.S.A. and the Police went early [Friday] morning hoping to rescue but the treacherous weather makes it very difficult," said Tanuvasa. 

“Divers were also requested to search underneath but the sea conditions are not safe." 

He added that after 5pm, the search was called off and they will continue tomorrow [Saturday]. 

Last month Police and Fire and Emergency Services Authority (F.E.S.A.) were searching for the body of a teenage boy in Fagaloa after he was lost at sea while fishing with his brother.

“There were two of them that went fishing,” the Commissioner said at the time. 

“The two are brothers from Saletele and Sauano in Fagaloa, according to the family members who were with us yesterday. 

“There were many of us who were in Fagaloa yesterday searching for the boy. You’re looking at about 20, plus the Police and also some of the villagers and members of the family who joined and assisted the search party.” 

Tanuvasa said according to reports relayed to them, the two were not on a canoe, but on foot at the reef. 

The boy is believed to be 18 or 19 years of age according to Police.