CEBU CITY – The 15-year-old boy who went missing while swimming at the height of severe tropical storm “Kristine” was found dead in the sea of Barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City on Friday morning, Oct. 25.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/24/15-year-old-boy-goes-missing-while-swimming-in-lapu-lapu-city
RESCUERS load the body of a 15-year-old boy into a rubber boat after he was found dead in the sea of Barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City on Friday morning, Oct. 25. (Lapu-Lapu City PIO)
The body of Sean Clinton Pedrosa was found about 50 meters from the shore. The victim’s father confirmed the boy’s identity.
The boy was last seen alive around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
The island of Cebu, including Lapu-Lapu City, was placed under storm signal 1 last Wednesday.
Despite the inclement weather, the boy and his girlfriend still decided to swim at the back of a hotel in Sitio Santa Lucia.
According to reports, the boy was the first to jump from a cliff then the girl followed..
The girl later noticed that he did not resurface. She hurriedly climbed up the cliff and sought from nearby residents.
Rescuers had difficulty immediately finding the boy due to inclement weather.
Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan said 17 divers from various agencies, including the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Philippine Marine Corps, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine National Police as well as some Korean volunteers joined in the search.
The search was interrupted by the unfavorable weather, Chan said.
Following the incident, Chan reminded the public to refrain from swimming or venturing into the sea during unfavorable weather to prevent untoward incidents.