Coup Attempt in Suva - 45 Killed

45 people were killed in a coup attempt against the Suva Royal Family. Those who were killed include 30 gunmen involved in the coup.

About 200 gunmen attacked the Royal Palace, Defence Ministry and the main army installation in the Suvanese capital yesterday morning.  While the attack at the Royal Palace was repulsed, fighting continued till late at night around the Defence Ministry complex,

At about 5 am yesterday morning, a few jeeps with masked gunmen were seen outside the Royal Palace. Members of the Royal Guards and police officers guarding the palace repelled the attackers after two hours of fighting.

At then same time,  about 50 gunmen attacked the Defence Ministry and managed to overpower  the two guards on duty. Royal Suvanese Army (RSA) reinforcement from Fort Suva from Fort Suva, sent  to retake the Defence Ministry complex,  was pinned down by 100 attackers who had surrounded the military installation.

Residents in Suvatown woke up to heavy gun fights along the streets of the capital. A few explosions were heard from the direction of Fort Suva. The Defence Ministry complex was retaken by the RSA after 8 pm last night after fierce fighting with the attackers. 

The fate of the Suva Royal Family is not known yet.  Attempts to contact the Royal Spokesman was futile.