A 13-YEAR-OLD girl was found dead while her two other minor companions are still missing after they drowned in Purok Abkasa River in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
Executive Assistant Jose Maria Vargas, cluster head for Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO), said the 13-year-old girl (name withheld) was found dead Thursday morning in Purok Tumpok, Barangay Zone 15, Talisay City. She was reported missing along with two other companions, both male, at the river in Purok Abkasa, Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City Wednesday afternoon.
He said they were informed that there were six minors, four boys and two girls, who went swimming in the river in Purok Abkasa at about 1 p.m. Wednesday. At around 3 p.m., due to heavy rains, a strong current of water occurred and three of the minors managed to get to shore. The 13-year-old girl and her two male companions, however, were swept away by floodwaters.
He added the three minors also tried to save their friends but failed. They asked assistance from barangay officials at around 5:30 p.m.
DRRMO immediately conducted a search and retrieval operation until 10 p.m. but they failed to find them. It was informed Thursday morning that a dead body of a girl was found in Purok Tumbok, Talisay City.
Vargas said the rescuers walked almost two kilometers from Barangay Mandalagan towards Matab-ang River. But as of 4 p.m. Thursday, they still failed to retrieve the two boys.
He said the river is zigzag in shape and there’s a possibility that the bodies of the victims were trapped in a hole in the river.
DRRMO already stopped its search and retrieval operation Thursday afternoon.
Vargas reminded the parents to always check the activity of their children to avoid similar incidents.