CEBU CITY – A beach outing turned tragic when a motor banca capsized, killing two of four passengers in Badian, Cebu, on Black Saturday`.

RESCUERS apply first aid to a passenger of a motor banca that sank off Badian town, Cebu province on Saturday, April 19. (Contributed photo)
The incident happened around 1:30 p.m. in Barangay Manduyong.
Police identified the fatalities as Silvio Bajo Verano, 67, and his 17-year-old grandchild Lhenyl Faith Verano Diez.
The surviving passengers were identified as Bea Veronica Verano, 14, and Solenn Marie Verano Diez, 12.
While the victims were swimming in the beach, Silvio invited her grandchildren for a ride using his pump boat.
The victims were having fun aboard the motor banca when they suddenly encountered huge waves.
Authorities noted that the banca was already fragile because of old age that may have caused its deck to break after it was repeatedly battered by strong waves.
When the boat started to sink, the grandchildren panicked and clung on their grandfather.
According to Police Staff Sgt. Norman Aparre, investigator of Badian Police Station, Lhenyl was carried away by strong current.
Beachgoers noticed the victims struggling in the water and rushed to rescue them.
Lhenyl was rescued and taken to the town hospital where she was declared dead. Bea and Solenn were strong swimmers that enabled them to survive.
Silvio was still missing when responders from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard arrived.
A search and rescue operation was immediately launched.
At 3:05 p.m., Silvio’s body was found submerged in an area which was about five meters deep, police said.