PUBLIC ADVISORY #36 | 30 July 2026.
Joint search and rescue operations have intensified following the disappearance of the Lakeba Medical Team out in the Lau Waters with national and international assets deployed to the search area.
Government officials, emergency services, and international partners are working in a highly coordinated effort to locate the six missing healthcare workers. Currently there have been strategic coordination and briefings with rescue operation teams including the Commissioner Eastern’s Office and the Provincial Administrator Lau (PA Lau) to discuss and to streamline response efforts. A strategic coordination meeting with the Commander of the Fiji Navy and his team to map out maritime search grids was held this afternoon.
Rescue Operation Leads have updated the Minister for Health and the Minister for
Rural and Maritime Development on the situation and ongoing operations.
Active Search Operations Update:
- Aerial Search: A chartered helicopter launched an aerial search over Lakeba
waters at 11:30 a.m., scouring the area for approximately four hours.
- Naval Deployment: With no immediate sightings reported from the air, a Fiji
Navy rescue vessel departed at 4:00 p.m. to continue surface operations.
- International Support: The New Zealand Defense Force will arrive tomorrow morning to join the operation, providing critical support to the Government of Fiji and the Fiji Navy.
Further updates will be shared as verified information becomes available.
ENDS