VITI LEVU, Fiji (5 Sep 2004) -- The family of an Australian woman missing in Fiji have been forced to launch their own aerial search after being frustrated by what they call an unsatisfactory local rescue effort. They say that five days since Danielle Gibbons, 27, went missing with her dive instructor off the island of Nananu-i-Ra, the Fijian Government's search has been minimal. Today, despite fading hopes of finding Ms Gibbons alive, her family are paying for a search of the area where she was last seen. Ms Gibbons, a childcare worker from Bega, went to Fiji this year to tutor the two children of Dan Grenier, owner of a dive lodge on the island, and improve her diving qualifications. She and Mr Grenier, a US citizen, became separated from a group during a boat dive on Tuesday. They have not been seen since. Family friend Sue Whyman said search efforts by the Fijian Government had been unsatisfactory, with no action taken until Wednesday, a day after the pair had been reported missing. She said most of the air and sea search had been privately funded by the island's resort, the Bamboo Beach Resort, and Crystal Divers, Mr Grenier's company. Ms Gibbons's mother, Janice, and sister, Corinne, arrived in Fiji on Friday only to find there was "not much happening", said Ms Whyman. "They are very angry and very frustrated," she said. "Everything is on Fiji time. They are getting very down. Everything seems very disjointed. They needed an Australian co-ordinator in Fiji to help." Friends of Mr Grenier were diving the area yesterday to search for the missing pair. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the Australian High Commission in Suva had been liaising with the Fijian Government, and were in close contact with the family. | | Danielle Gibbons and Crystal Divers owner Dan Grenier went missing off Viti Levu. The spokeswoman said the search was ongoing, and involved a helicopter and watercraft. "Obviously the family is very deeply distressed, but the Government is doing everything they can in concert with Fijian authorities," she said. The island of Nananu-i-Ra is at the northern tip of Viti Levu, and is known for its beautiful dive sites. Ms Whyman said it remained a mystery how the pair became separated from the boat. Mr Grenier is an experienced diver and Ms Gibbons was also "fit and athletic". "She had a real passion for diving," she said. SOURCE - Sun-Herald |
