Man, 20, dies after falling coconut hits head during 7.1 quake


BUTUAN CITY (PNA) – A 20-year-old man from Tandag City, Surigao del Sur reportedly died after he was hit in the head by falling coconuts in the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that shook parts of Mindanao dawn Thursday.

In a report Friday, the Tandag City Police Station (TCPS) said their office received a call from a concerned citizen about the discovery of a body in a lechon house in Purok Sunnys Farm in Barangay Mabua.

After an investigation at the site, TCPS personnel identified the victim as Reniel John Salve Mindajao, a resident in the area.

The investigation also revealed that at past 1 a.m. Thursday during the strong earthquake, some residents heard loud banging from the roof of the lechon house. At around 9:30 a.m. on the same date, the owner of the lechon house found the cadaver of Mindajao.

The TCPS personnel, upon verification in the area, also found four young coconuts scattered around the victim's remains.

A large hole on the roof of the lechon house caused by the fallen coconuts was also discovered during the investigation.

“The destroyed galvanized roof serves as the entry of the fallen coconut fruits hitting straight to the head of the victim. No wounds or sign of foul play was noted at the body of the victim,” the TCPS report said.