The Samoa government has stepped in to assist the families of the four seasonal workers who died in Australia last weekend to ensure their bodies are repatriated home soon. 

The Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai expressed his condolences to the families of the men who left the country for seasonal work for Australia earlier this year. 

In a press conference on Thursday at his office, Lautimuia said the government is liaising with the authorities in Australia to assist with their investigation and is working on their repatriation. 

He said this was one of the most fatal incidents involving Samoan workers overseas and like other previous cases the incidents occurred outside working hours. 

The case of the four deceased workers will be subjected to a number of legal requirements, according to Lautimuia, such as the coroner and undergoing an autopsy before the bodies can be released. 

The men were identified as David Atonio Gasologa, 27, of Falefa, Aperaamo Tapelu, 24, of Letogo, Alesana Anetelea, 34, a father of Safotu Savai'i, and Darrick Amouta Peleti, 28, of Lufilfui and Falevao.

Staff from the Labour Mobility Unit within the Ministry of Finance have met with the families of the deceased men to inform them of the incident and the progress in the investigations undertaken in Australia.

The Minister said records show that this is not the first time the men have participated in the program and all have good working histories before the accident last Sunday. The workers left for Australia in July this year and were scheduled to return home at the end of their contract in May next year.  

Reports from Australia said the men were driving home from a friend’s house near Mansfield, Victoria when their rental car veered off the road and crashed into a tree before bursting into flames. Police believe the driver lost control and hit an embankment and then a tree before bursting into flames.

"We believe they consumed alcohol and jumped back in the car, and they've driven back towards the house where they live and the collision's occurred," said the Australian Assistant Commissioner for road policing, Glenn Weir.

Lautimuia hopes the deceased can be returned home before the end of the year to allow their families to lay them to rest. He noted records from the Labour Mobility Unit which confirmed that a total of 12 Samoan seasonal workers have died in Australia since 2012 and four in New Zealand since the R.S.E. scheme began in 2007.

Lautimuia also asked the general public to refrain from spreading rumours on social media that hurt the families of the deceased persons. Any compensation for the families of the men will be discussed at a later time when the investigation is completed.