Police Investigate Man’s Body Found on Small Sandbar Off the Coast of Palolo Deep

"The Coroner has ordered a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.."

September 28, 2026

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Samoa Police have launched an investigation after a man’s body was found on the small sandbar off the coast of Palolo Deep Marine Reserve in Vaiala on Sunday afternoon.

“Sa’o lelei. O le tino maliu o se tamā” Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga confirmed.

He said there were no visible injuries, but the Coroner has ordered a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.

“E leai ni manu’a i le tino o lē na maua, ae ua order mai e le Coroner le taotoga faapitoa – post mortem – e faamautu ai le mafuaaga o le maliu,” the Acting Police Commissioner said.

Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone Mauga, said FESA had received a call from the Taumeasina Island Resort team who called it on on Sunday afternoon.

“O le valaau na lipotia mai e faapea o loo iai se tino maliu o loo vaaia i luga o le oneone ma sa agai ai loa iai le pulega,” he said.

“E le o mautinoa poo le ā le matua o le soifua o lenei tamā, ae o le taimi nei ua i aao o le Matagaluega o Leoleo le mataupu ma o loo faatino ai a latou suesuega.”