Marikina Rescue 161 warns public against swimming in river during strong currents
The Marikina City Rescue 161 warned the public on Saturday, Nov. 22, to avoid swimming or wading in the river, especially when the water level is high or the current is strong, following a drowning incident that claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy in the Marikina River.
Authorities retrieve the body of a 14-year-old boy drowned in the Marikina River. (Photo from Marikina Rescue 161)
The victim was reported missing on the afternoon of Nov. 20 in Barangay Nangka after allegedly drowning. Witnesses said they saw him swimming in the river before he disappeared and failed to resurface.
Authorities immediately launched a large-scale search and retrieval operation, mobilizing teams from Marikina Rescue 161, the Marikina Bureau of Fire Protection Special Rescue Unit (BFP-SRU), the Marikina River Parks Office, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The search was conducted using boats, rescue equipment, and coordinated river scanning, while teams also checked various downstream areas where the victim may have been swept away.
The operation lasted three days due to the depth of the river and the strong water flow.
The victim’s body was retrieved on Saturday in a portion of the Marikina River in Barangay IVC. Authorities confirmed his identity and immediately notified his family.
Because of the incident, authorities again warned the public to avoid swimming in rivers, especially when the water level is high or the current is strong.
They also urged parents, particularly those with minor children, to closely supervise their kids and keep them away from dangerous areas, and advised everyone to always follow safety advisories and river patrol warnings.