Fiji quake prophesiers seized

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Two men are in Fiji military custody over a failed prediction that the Pacific nation was to be hit by a natural disaster at 2.30 pm today.

Fiji Rugby Union chairman Bill Gavoka and pastor Laione Lutumaimuri Nacevamaca have been seized by the military regime for spreading rumours.

Nacevamaca issued a warning of a tsunami while Gavoka, who was also with the Fiji Visitors Bureau, sent tourist operators an email last week urging them to keep away from the water.

The deadline passed unnoticed this afternoon, but across Fiji many schools have been closed and in outlaying areas people went to higher ground and cancelled all social events, including funerals.

Fiji media are under military censorship but sources told Stuff this afternoon that Nacevamaca was now being held at a military base and was expecting physical punishment if a tsunami failed to arrive within the next day.

Assistant Superintendent Luke Navela of the Major Crimes Unit told the FijiLive website that Gavoka and the pastor will probably be charged over the prediction.

Spreading rumours is an offence under Fiji's military state of emergency.

Earlier today the US Geological Survey reported that an earthquake of magnitude of 5.5 hit the Fiji region at 10.16 am.

It centred between Fiji and Tonga but was 563 kilometres deep and so far no tsunami warning has been issued.

The area, near the Tonga Trench, generates hundreds of earthquakes each year.

It was not felt in Suva.

The regime has warned civil servants they must be at work today and schools must be open.

Coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama strongly dismissed the rumours but he has left Fiji and is attending the Arab League Summit in the Dubai.

On Rabi Island, local reports say, the islanders have prepared emergency shelters and moved to higher grounds.

Public Service Commission permanent secretary Parmesh Chand says those that do not turn up to work will face disciplinary action.
"Our advice is essentially - for those who deliberately do not turn up to work today due to the so-called prophesy or rumours - today is a normal working day and we expect a 100 percent turnout and those who fail to turn up, disciplinary action will be taken against them."
Education Minister Filipe Bole says all schools will be open today and parents should not stop children from attending school.
Bole says no school will be closed, and he does not expect any disruptions to the normal school day

Gavoka, the former head of the Fiji Visitors Bureau, had got into trouble for circulating Nacevamaca's warning to tourist operators.

The original warning letter from pastor Nacevamaca said he was "moved" to make the prediction after the Nadi Weather Office predicted 11 cyclones last summer. 

"The predicted cyclone will come, but a more devastating disaster will hit Fiji in June, 2010. Earthquakes and waves will hit the entire land from all directions. After the waves, strong winds and rain will follow."
Nacevamaca said.

"I talked to the Lord God some more and he stressed the day. This time in June 2010, the disaster will hit Fiji. It will be chaotic, catastrophe that Fiji has never experienced before.

"Immediately I looked at my cell phone clock, it was exactly 2.30pm," Nacevamaca said.

"My friend, the coming disaster will hit our island nation, Fiji, on the 23rd day of June, 2010

"This is the date and time. Mark to your calendar. Add it to your prayer lists. Get right with the Lord God!!

"Prepare yourself for it."

- © Fairfax NZ News