Two Grade 10 students were found dead after being swept away by strong river currents in the Himogaan River in Barangay Malubon, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
The Sagay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the incident happened on Friday, Jan. 9, when five classmates went to the river to celebrate a birthday.
CDRRMO Operations and Warning Officer Jorge Cabalag said the students were on a large rock in the middle of the river when a sudden flash flood came from the mountainous area upstream.
Cabalag said it was raining in the mountain area at the time, although weather conditions in the river area were reportedly fair.
He added that the students did not immediately notice the rising water as they were playing loud music during the celebration.
When the current suddenly became stronger, all five students attempted to swim back to the riverbank.
Three of the students managed to reach safety, but the two male students, aged 16 and 15, were carried away by the strong current.
A joint search and retrieval operation was immediately launched by the Sagay CDRRMO, Philippine Coast Guard, Bantay Suba, barangay councils of Malubon and Paraiso, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the police.
The first victim, the 16-year-old student, was found on January 10 at the Fabrica wharf after being discovered by members of Bantay Suba of Brgy. Paraiso.
The second victim, the 15-year-old student, was found on Sunday, January 11, in Sitio Dukol-Dukol, Brgy. Himogaan Baybay.
The Philippine Coast Guard said the body was located several kilometers downstream from the site of the incident during the third day of joint search and rescue operations.*