23 Feb 2006

Search teams find fishing gear but not missing man in American Samoa

5:56 pm on 23 February 2006

Search teams in American Samoa have found fishing gear belonging to a man who went missing last night in Vaitogi.

But they have not been able to locate fifty eight year old Kapineta Leifi who was last seen yesterday afternoon.

The father of two told his wife he was going fishing near the Hall residence in Vaitogi.

Divers began searching the area this morning and have so far found floats and a fishing pole that have been identified as Mr Leifi's.

Police suspect that he may have been pulled into the sea by waves judging from where his fishing line was found.

His wife said that she tried to persuade him not to go fishing because the sea was too rough.

The search for the missing man will continue tomorrow.