Three reported dead as storm hits Fiji

[senorpepr]

At least three people have been reported killed and nine others missing after a severe tropical storm hit Fiji.

The Fiji Television network reports the dead were villagers who were swept away by floodwaters in the town of Rakiraki and in the Tailevu district, north of the capital Suva.

A boat carrying five divers in the Yasawa Group, west of the main Viti Levu island, was reported missing, as are two fishermen and two villagers.

Fiji television says much of Viti Levu was damaged after a severe rainstorm struck on Thursday, causing rivers to flood.

The Fiji Red Cross says it's sending emergency supplies to Rakiraki, whose residents have been the worst hit by the storm.