Identities of those missing in Samoa after Evan revealed

The identities of eleven people who have been missing since Cyclone Evan struck Samoa last monthwere released by the Police yesterday.

Assistant Police Commissioner, Le’aupepe Fatu Pula identified them as:

Avele Afele, 22, Samusu Aleipata
Kalepo Liutolo, 43, Falealupo and Neiafu
Suivai Lafaele Tuatagaloa, 56, Alamagoto
Osa Motuloa, 30, Lotofaga
Junior Visesio, 29, Nofoali’i
Pasami Enise, 56, Vaimoso
Vaelelei Talimatau, 48, Aele
Simi James Key, 44, Lepuai Manono,
Sione Aotofaga, Salua Manono
Va’alele Nikolao, 32, Salua Manono
Epati Tanielu, 3, Faiaaai Savai’i

Le’aupepe said most of the missing people are fishermen who had left for fishing expeditions before Cyclone Evan struck, nearly five weeks ago.

Should they be declared dead, it would make the death toll from Evan one of the worst in history.

In an interesting twist yesterday, Le’aupepe said the number of deaths had actually changed from “five” to “four.”

Told that he had actually confirmed and named the five dead people on Sunday 30 December 2012, Le’aupepe said “it’s actually four.”

Reminded that the media releases from Cabinet also said the death toll was five, Le’aupepe did not elaborate.

On the Sunday Samoan of 30 December 2012, the Police identified the dead people as:

FalaKalati, of Tufuiopa, 63
TomaLeilua, of Magiagi and Sagone, 40
AukusitinoLeialo, of Tafitoala, Safata, 40
Eli Fereti, of Magiagi, 63
TanuTanu of Magiagi, 44

Asked when the missing people are likely to be declared dead, Leaupepe said he was not sure.

“They can’t be declared dead, not until a very long time,” he responded. “I haven’t looked up on the Act yet that says how long it will take.”

The Act in question is the Coroners Act.