Community mourns two deaths during Diwali-Labour Day weekend

The community is mourning two deaths in the Fiji Indian community in two separate incidents during the Diwali festival and Labour Day long weekend. 

On Monday, October 28, a woman died in a house fire at The Gardens in Manurewa and an as yet un-named 31-year-old died after drowning at the Te Waha Point in West Auckland where she had gone fishing with her husband. 

Police identified the deceased at the Manurewa home as 43-year-old Meena Kishore Prasad. 

The Dawood Place, Manurewa, a house fire was reported to the emergency services on Monday at 6:55 a.m. Ms Meena Prasad is said to have gone inside the house when she saw smoke to rescue her mother-in-law Sham Mati Prasad, her husband and daughter, Radio Tarana reported. 

Ms Prasad couldn't make it back and died in the incident. Her mother-in-law was taken to hospital in a serious condition, and her husband and daughter were treated for smoke inhalation. 

As reported in Stuff, the fire at Ms Prasad's house is believed to have started from the Diya (earthen lamps) that is used in the Diwali prayer. It is said that the Diya might have been left burning after the Diwali prayers the night before. 

Ms Prasad's funeral will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, November 1 at Ann's Funeral Home in Wiri. 

"Ms Prasad's death has been referred to the Coroner and our deep sympathies with her family and relatives at this difficult time.

"The family is requesting privacy at this time and have requested that the media do not contact them. 

"The Police investigation into the house fire remains ongoing," police media told The Indian Weekender.

Te Waha Point Drowning:

On Tuesday, October 29, police found the body of the woman who went missing on her fishing trip with her husband at Te Waha Point on Labour Day holiday. The body of the 31-year-old was discovered on White's Beach near Piha at about 8:15 a.m. 

Police identified the deceased at Sheetal Prasad of Auckland. 

Ms Prasad is said to have fallen into the water at 7:20 a.m. and failed to resurface. As per NZ Herald, a search operation was carried by emergency services including Volunteer Surf Lifeguards from United North Piha Surf Life Saving Club until dark. 

"The death has been referred to the Coroner- and support is being provided to her husband at this difficult time, and our thoughts are with him and their wider family," a police spokesperson said.

Ms Prasad is survived by her husband and two children.