CEBU CITY – The seven individuals who went missing after their pickup truck was swept by a raging river in Carmen town, northern Cebu have all been accounted for.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/9/pickup-truck-swept-away-by-flashflood-in-cebu-minor-dies-6-missing
SEVEN persons who went missing after their pickup truck was swept by a raging river in Cebu have all been accounted for.
The search and retrieval operation was terminated when the body of 15-year-old Mike Stanley Tungal was recovered around 12:10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, said Carmen Mayor Carlo Villamor.
The other fatalities were identified as Arshane Bejoc, 11; Aishie Hermoso,12; Rhesamie Costan, 25; Nathaniel Lozano, 12; Elmer Costan, 25; and Clarrise Ypil, 13.
Bejoc was the first to be recovered hours after the tragedy, which happened around 5:45 p.m. on Monday, July 8. The bodies of the five other victims were recovered last Tuesday, July 9.
Ten other persons were also aboard the pickup truck but were unharmed.
The group came from a mountain resort where they had a party to celebrate the wedding of Rhesamie and Elmer who were married last Saturday, July 6. Rhesamie was pregnant when she died.
The group was on their way home when a river overflowed. The strong water current swept the pickup truck until the vehicle was stuck in the middle of the river.
A heavy equipment pulled the pickup truck out of the river.
Villamor thanked those who joined in the search and rescue operation.
Emergency responders from Carmen town, Danao City, Catmon town, Sogod town, Borbon town, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Carmen Police Station, Police Maritime Group, Luyang Fishermen’s Association, and Carmen Offroaders as well as fishermen joined the rescue efforts.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured that immediate assistance will be given to the families of the victims.
While the rescue efforts were ongoing on Tuesday, Marcos was in Compostela, a neighboring town, gracing the inauguration of SteelAsia.