There is no investigation or case open in relation to alleged sex trade and human trafficking as reported by daily, The Fiji Times.
Authorities who have been quoted by the newspaper last Friday and Saturday say they never said what has been reported in the paper.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji has revealed that they met with the reporter in relation to the story of an 18-year-old girl who she claimed was found on a yacht near Malake Island, Rakiraki.
In a statement Chief Executive Officer Neale Slack said the reporter has confirmed that inaccurate and unauthorized information was published.
Slack said the reporter also apologized for the unauthorized quoting of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji officer.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Police Force has also refuted reports in relation to the story.
In a statement, police say that at no point in time did they receive a report of an 18-year-old that was found on a yacht or was in their custody.
Police say the reports are nothing more than assumptions and speculation and it is worrying to note that this was not taken into account although this was highlighted to the reporter concerned.
Police say this was again highlighted by the Deputy Divisional Commander Western when contacted by the reporter however it was once again not taken into account.
They said the article is creating unnecessary panic amongst the Rakiraki community especially women in the area.
Both Police and the maritime authority have raised concern how such an inaccurate and misleading was published in the newspaper.
There is no word as yet on whether any further action will be taken following the apology from the reporter.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
