Tragedies, part of our trials to make us stronger
The horrific multiple-vehicle collision that has so far claimed seven lives and injured several has galvanised the nation.
The hardest hit are the families and friends of those who died and others in critical condition in hospital as they mourn for their loved ones.
What is disturbing from this tragedy is the insensitivity of passers-by who were only interested in taking pictures and videos of the victims as they lay injured and some of them dead and uploading them onto social media forums without considering the shock and trauma it would cause families and friends.
To make matters worse, some of the passers-by allegedly looted the crash site and took valuables such as watches and even money.
It’s a despicable act because it is inhumane. Instead of helping to rescue the victims, they robbed them instead.
That act is unFijian. It’s not us. We are better known for our compassion and love for one another. It’s part of our DNA and defines our character as a nation - our patriotism – that we are prepared to lay our bodies on the line for a greater cause as we do in our peacekeeping missions around the world.
We are all intimately connected by this common thread. Those who were responsible for doing the unthinkable by not showing respect for the injured and dead in Nabou, belong to the minority.
We hope they have learned from their experience and never to do it again. They need to ask themselves: what if these victims are my brothers, sisters, cousins, parents, grandparents, in-laws, friends etc, Would they act differently? Of course they would. For those who displayed the best in the humanity in us and went out of their way to help the victims and later to reach out and comfort the families and friends of the dead and injured, we say thank you and may God bless you. You belong to a very special group and deserve recognition for your sense of civic duty and compassion. In the coming days the affected families and friends will go through a difficult patch when the reality of the tragedy begins to sink home.
Lives will be transformed and a lot of readjustment will take place. It’s times like this when our spiritual strength will carry us through – the knowledge that we will go through trials in this life – trials that will make us grow stronger when we overcome.
To make matters worse, some of the passers-by allegedly looted the crash site and took valuables such as watches and even money.