ILOILO CITY – A male tourist from Laguna drowned at world-famous Boracay Island in Malay town, Aklan province in the aftermath of severe tropical storm “Kristine” on Friday afternoon, Oct. 25.
Malay Municipal Police Station investigator Lt. Romeo Sabrine said the victim and a companion, also from Laguna, went swimming in an area at sea farther than where other tourists were swimming.
LIFEGUARDS and other rescuers respond to a drowning incident at world-famous Boracay Island on Friday, Oct. 25. (Norhan Talabot)
He said that paddle boarders spotted the victim drowning and conducted an initial rescue operation that was later joined by lifeguards.
“He was one of the two who drowned. The other survived,” said Sabrine.
The incident occurred after Boracay sustained infrastructure damage from strong winds and heavy rain from Kristine. The roof of the covered walkway of the Cagban Jetty Port was blown off and electric tricycles toppled by strong winds.