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7 killed after dragon boat capsizes in Boracay


Seven individuals died after a dragon boat capsized in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan on Wednesday morning.

Information from the Philippine Coast Guard said there were 21 passengers on board the Boracay Team Dragon Boat.
The accident occurred along the waters off Sitio Lingganay in Barangay Manoc-Manoc.

The local government of Malay identified the fatalities as Mark Vincent Navarrete, Comar Acob, Maricel Tan, Johann Tan, Richel Montuya, Antonette Supranes and John Vincent Natividad, who were all declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

The PCG said the local dragon boat team was holding a practice when sudden strong waves hit them, which later caused the boat to capsize.

Survivors of the sea mishap include Von Navarrosa, Yhen Aytona, Mark Baccay, Kenneth Bandalan, Jao Buenaventura, Julia Kurbaniizova, Robel Licerio, Janice Lumbo, Lani Ordas, Edwin Paradas, Marc Sabado, Kathleen Sabado, Jayrold Violanda and Maggie Xie.

It was earlier reported by the Regional Mobile Unit 6 that eight paddlers died in the accident.

The Police Regional Office 6 and the local government of Malay finalized the death toll at seven.

“Galing silang sa Bulabog at lumipat sila dito sa bandang Manoc-Manoc, katapat ng Lingganay beach. Mga 200 to 300 meters bigla silang hinampas ng alon and eventually nag-capsize,” PCG spokesperson Captain Armand Balilo said in an interview on GMA News TV’s Balitanghali on Wednesday.

 Balilo said the PCG received the report about the incident at 7:45 a.m.

The rescued passengers were immediately brought to Saint Gabriel Hospital.

Balilo said the sea is usually unpredictable during this season. “Sa umpisa medyo maayos, kalmado. Pagdating sa dulo may paglakas ng alon, paglakas ng hangin,” he said.

According to Balilo, it is being investigated how these paddlers, who are expected to be strong swimmers, were not able to survive the incident given that they are trained for an extreme water sport.

“Kahit ako man nagtataka dahil usually, yung mga dragon boat [paddlers] dahil laro nila yan, ang basic na skill ay marunong mag-swimming. Dapat mga strong swimmers ang mga yun,” he said. —Joviland Rita/KBK/NB, GMA News

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