The Tonga Police force said their last goodbyes to Officer Selomiti Tufui, who’s life was cut short after a tragic incident at a notorious Tongtapu beach.
As Kaniva News reported last week Selomiti’s brother Mione Tufui had posted a video which appeared to show the victim’s body was pulled from the water and being carried out on a stretcher.
“I love you Selomiti”, he said.
The police said this afternoon that the 22-year-old police constable entered Tonga Police on the September 12, 2020 as a Police Recruit in Recruit Wing 48.
On January 29, 2021, she became a Probationary Constable and was confirmed to a Police Constable on September 21, 2022.
The police did not release any details about Selomiti’s cause of death.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we write this post. Today, 9 January 2023, Members of Tonga Police along with families, loved ones, and friends of Police Constable Selomiti Tufui laid her to rest from time to eternity at Mala’e Loma, Lapaha”, a police statement read.
Selomiti was working at the Mu’a Police Station until her tragic passing on New Year’s Day.
“Tonga Police offers its heartfelt condolences to Constable Tufui’s parents and families over her tragic loss for it is indeed a great loss to our Tonga Police family. Police Constable Selomiti Tufui’s courage and devotion to serving and protecting our community will always be remembered”.
Laulea beach is one of the most dangerous places in Tonga to go swimming due to powerful rip currents and waves that are known to sweep people out to sea.
In 2018 Viliami Vaka’uta, 24, was presumed dead after he attempted to save her wife in the water.
‘Inoke Mapaleve Mo’unga, 32, of Kolonga drowned at the beach after visiting there with his wife and friends.
In 2012 Catholic priest, Father Mikaele Mateo , 37, died at Laulea Beach while helping to rescue his five young nephews who were swept out to open sea by the strong currents.
