The family of 5-year-old Lilly Wal, who drowned near the Biasavu Waterfall in Sigatoka, Fiji on Jan. 12, is demanding accountability and safety reforms. Rescue efforts were hindered by heavy rain and flood warnings, and Lilly’s body was recovered the next day along the Biasavu River. Lilly’s cousin alleges the family received no safety briefing and accuses the tour operator and local authorities of failing to protect visitors. The family is calling for a fuller investigation and clearer safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
5-Year-Old Lilly Wal Drowns at Fiji Waterfall; Family Demands Accountability and Safety Reforms
The Biausevu waterfallGetty
A 5-year-old girl, identified as Lilly Wal, drowned after being swept away by a strong current while visiting the Biasavu (also spelled Biausevu) Waterfall in Sigatoka, Fiji. The incident occurred on Jan. 12, when Lilly and relatives from Brisbane were at the popular site, according to the Fiji Police Force.
What Happened
Rescue teams began searching immediately after Lilly was swept downstream, but heavy rain and flood warnings created dangerous conditions that hampered the operation and initially yielded no results. On Jan. 13, police located Lilly’s body along the Biasavu River. Authorities said personnel from Sigatoka Forensics and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) recovered the child’s body and escorted it to the Sigatoka Hospital mortuary.
Family's Allegations
Nearly a month after the tragedy, Lilly’s cousin, Chiara Subek, publicly accused those who organized the outing of failing in their duty of care and said the death might have been preventable. In a social media post Subek wrote that the family received no safety briefing, were not warned about the risks of visiting the falls in the rain, and were not told how to respond if weather conditions changed.
The Biausevu waterfallGetty
“What was meant to be a beautiful getaway for my aunt and her little family instead became the most traumatic experience,” Subek wrote, calling for accountability and change so other families do not suffer similar loss.
Subek also alleged that a child was used to guide families with young children along the trail during unsafe conditions and accused the tour operator of prioritizing profit over passenger safety. She said local leaders and police did not provide an adequate response and that investigators at times tried to place blame on Lilly’s aunt.
Official Details and Unresolved Questions
Police statements confirmed the recovery of Lilly’s body and the involvement of Sigatoka-based forensic and CID teams but did not name any tour company. It is not immediately clear which operator, if any, organized the visit. The family says they have received little follow-up information and are seeking a fuller investigation into safety protocols, local leadership response, and the handling of the rescue operation.
Calls For Change
The family is urging stronger safety measures, clearer duty-of-care standards for tour operators, and accountability from local authorities. “This is about duty of care, tourist safety, and protecting children and families. We want accountability, awareness, and change,” Subek wrote.
Authorities have confirmed the facts of the recovery; investigations into the circumstances surrounding the outing and any potential negligence have not been publicly concluded.
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