The Ministry of Police has confirmed an investigation is underway into the death of a man who is suspected of drowning while out fishing early this week at Faleapuna.

Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said the male of Faleapuna, who was in his 30s was found by family members and villagers on Wednesday. 

He said information received by the Police was that there were three men who went fishing on Tuesday at Faleapuna and only two returned to land with the third still at sea. The two other men reported the man was still fishing when they returned to land. 

“It wasn’t until on Wednesday morning that his body was found at sea and reported to the Police and an investigation is currently underway,” said Auapaau. 

In a separate incident earlier last month, the Police reported a 22-year-old male of Poutasi Falealili had also gone missing at sea. 

The information provided to the Police suggested that the Poutasi resident went out to sea with other men hoping to catch palolo. 

It was reported that the strong current struck the men’s canoe, forcing the men to swim to the nearby island of Nuusafe’e, and upon reaching the shore realised one other member of their crew was missing.  

A search and rescue operation led by the Fire and Service Emergency Authority (FESA) and the Police was launched at the time and subsequently called off days later. 

There has been no confirmation to date from the local authorities that the body of the man has been recovered.