Fiji rugby international and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Josaia Raisuqe has died in a tragic accident in France. The 30-year-old Castres Olympique winger was killed when his car was struck by a train at a level crossing near the club’s Levezou training centre in Saix on Thursday morning.

Le Castres Olympique est en deuil.
C’est avec le cœur lourd que nous avons appris le décès ce matin dans un accident de la route de notre joueur Josaia Raisuqe.
Nous adressons nos sincères condoléances et pensées à sa famille ainsi qu’à ses proches.

— Castres Olympique (@CastresRugby) May 8, 2025

According to reports from the Castres public prosecutor Elodie Buguel, initial testimonies suggest that Raisuqe’s vehicle crossed the safety barriers before being hit by the locomotive. The rugby player was reportedly on his way to collect belongings from home after training when the incident occurred.

“Castres Olympique is in mourning,” the Top 14 club said in an official statement. “It is with a heavy heart that we learned of the death this morning in a road accident of our player Josaia Raisuqe. The entire CO family is devastated by this terrible news.”

Castres president Pierre-Yves Revol paid tribute to the Fijian athlete: “He was a radiant young man both on and off the pitch who was a pillar of the Fijian community that we have at the club and to which we are very attached. Of course, my thoughts are with his fiancée and his entire family.”

Raisuqe, originally from Lutu, Naitasiri, had been with Castres since 2021 and was due to join Brive for the next two seasons. His last appearance for Castres came in the 52-6 defeat by Toulouse on April 27.

The Fiji Rugby Union expressed their grief in a statement, describing Raisuqe as “a gifted athlete whose rugby journey inspired many.” He first rose to prominence on the global stage under Coach Ben Ryan, debuting in the 2015 Hong Kong Sevens.

Raisuqe was part of the Fiji team that won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, losing 28-7 to hosts France in the final. He had previously built a strong professional career in France, playing for clubs including Stade Français and Nevers before joining Castres.

The French National Rugby League has postponed Saturday’s Top 14 match between Castres and Clermont Auvergne and announced that tributes will be held for Raisuqe at all Top 14 and Pro D2 grounds this weekend.

Fellow rugby clubs and organizations have paid tribute to the player. The Fiji Drua posted on social media: “We lost more than a player — we lost a brother, a teammate and a true son of Fijian Rugby. Rest in peace, Jo. Your spirit will forever live on in the game and in our hearts.”

Toulouse, Raisuqe’s final opponents, shared a statement expressing their shock and offering “sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and his club, Castres Olympique.”

Le Stade Toulousain a appris avec effroi le décès de Josaia Raisuqe ce matin, dans un accident de la circulation.
L'ensemble du club tient à adresser son soutien et ses plus sincères condoléances à sa famille, ses proches ainsi qu'à son club du Castres Olympique.🕊️💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/EL1a24UVnz

— Stade Toulousain (@StadeToulousain) May 8, 2025

Raisuqe’s career was not without controversy. In 2017, he was fired by Stade Francais for gross misconduct after being accused of sexual assault. In June 2020, he was found guilty and given a suspended prison sentence. However, he rebuilt his career at Nevers before joining Castres in 2021.

The Fiji Association of Sport & National Olympic Committee joined in mourning the “immense loss,” stating: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Josaia’s family, loved ones, teammates and the grieving rugby fraternity both in Fiji and abroad.”