The police and the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (S.F.E.S.A.) patrolled the shores of Salelologa and nearby areas until late Monday looking for a 53-year-old man from Salelologa and Asau who went missing on Sunday while he was out swimming.

Aso Fonoia Galo went on a normal Sunday afternoon swim with his relatives and other members of his village behind Lusia's Lagoon in Salelologa but people who went swimming with him lost sight of the man as he swam out to the sea.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer on Monday, Moananu Taape Falesefulu, one of the S.F.E.S.A staff who were patrolling the lagoon with his fellow staff members and people from the village, said up until Monday afternoon, there were no sighting of of the man or any eyewitnesses confirming his whereabouts.

"We are currently out in the sea looking for him and even the police have assisted by checking with his families in Salelologa and Asau," he said, on Monday during the patrol.

"We've checked all his family except for the one in Asau which the police are on their way to but everywhere else, there was no sign of him and we are currently with one of the boys he was swimming with.

"According to him, he was last seen swimming with them but there was another group of people who were swimming from the other side which was about a 800 meters away from them so we're assuming he might've swam to them then got lost on the way or something.

"His family are very worried and we're doing our best to look for him."

The victim is not married and does not have any children but his relatives whom he lives with are urging the public to assist with any information they may have on the whereabouts of their family member.

Asked whether Mr. Galo has any illness both mentally and physically, Mr. Fasefulu said they are aware that Mr. Galo has difficulties with his legs which makes it difficult for him to walk properly.

Attempts to get a comment from the police were unsuccessful.