Tuvalu's acting prime minister Seve Paeniu says his country is mourning the loss of an important and influential figure after its deputy prime minister Minute Alapati Taupo died while attending a community event on Monday.
Today, we mourns the loss of Tuvalu's Deputy Prime Minister our Minister of Fisheries and Trade Hon. Minute Alapati Taupo OBE. We offer our utmost condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Hon. Taupo and recognizes the tremendous loss his passing has. pic.twitter.com/zSwF4dDrvt
— Tuvalu Department of Trade (@TuvaluTrade) May 23, 2022
Taupo, who was 60, was a VIP guest on the island of Nui to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Chapel on the island.
But soon after delivering his remarks he collapsed in the meeting hall and could not be resuscitated.
"He held a very important ministerial portfolio in cabinet as deputy prime minister but also in terms of fisheries being the single highest source of revenue and income to Tuvalu under his portfolio fisheries.
"So he played and held a very important role within the government and within cabinet," he said.
Paeniu said plans are still being put together by the government and his family for Taupo's state funeral.
