.gif)
Confirmation of any further fatalities caused by Hurricane Tomas is expected to be made official by Friday as assessment teams leave Suva by boat tonight for outer islands ravaged by Cyclone Tomas.
Emergency operations spokesperson Anthony Blake said boats involved in the relief phase were being dispatched from Suva and it would take time for the teams to get on site.
“Especially so for Cikobia which is a fair distance away by boat,” Blake said.
Fiji navy officials told Fijilve three naval ships were leaving Suva tonight (Wednesday) for Labasa, Lau and Lomaiviti respectively.
Maritime commander navy John Fox said the 18-hour boat trip to Labasa was leaving 6pm.
“The boat is going to Labasa first to pick up the Commissioner Western and then travel on to Cikobia,” Fox said.
He said the Cikobia leg would take another three hours.
Fox also confirmed the boat for the Lau group leaving Suva the same time (6pm), and the journey would take between 12 to 15 hours.
He added the Lomaiviti boat was departing Suva at 11pm, since the journey would only take 6 hours.
The only confirmed death so far is of a 31-year-old woman who was pulled in to the sea by surging waves on a beach in Cakaudrove on Saturday.
The total number of evacuation centres around the country as of Wednesday was 209, accommodating 11,350 people.
