A 60-YEAR-OLD man died after falling from a barge at Maayo Shipping Wharf in Barangay San Sebastian, Samboan town, southern Cebu at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023.
Staff Sgt. Carlos Catubig of the Samboan Police Station, in a phone interview, identified the victim as Romeo Salvo, a married man from Barangay Junob, Dumaguete City.
Catubig said the barge was heading to San Jose town in Negros Oriental.
The barge’s captain, Julmar Canubas, inspected the back of the ship as it was about to depart the wharf when he heard a loud splash, according to Catubig.
Canubas saw the victim sinking. He then informed the chief engineer, who immediately notified the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
A search and rescue operation was conducted by personnel of the PCG, Samboan Police Station and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The victim was found after about 30 minutes of searching. They rushed him to the Malabuyoc District Hospital, but he later died.
According to Catubig, there was no foul play involved in Canubas’ death. Investigation revealed that Canubas was drunk when he boarded the barge. (GPL / KAL)