3 siblings die from electrocution in QC apartment

Three siblings, aged 19, 15, and 12, died after they were electrocuted at their apartment in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City on Friday evening, according to a GMA News report by Gabriel Gonzales.

Initial investigation showed that about 6 p.m., one of the victims was fixing clothes hanging on a clothesline outside their apartment when the victim suddenly cried out in pain after allegedly coming into contact with a metal clothesline that may have been electrically energized.

The victim's older brother and another younger sibling rushed to help but were also electrocuted.

A fourth sibling, the youngest in the family, also tried to help. However, upon touching the window, the child reportedly felt an electric current and realized the area was live. Instead of going further, the child ran downstairs and sought help from neighbors.

Personnel from the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QC DRRMO) immediately responded and rushed the three victims to a hospital, but they were later declared dead.

The victims' father said he remains devastated and could not believe the tragedy that befell his children.

Initial inspection by Meralco showed that the circuit breaker connected to the air conditioning unit in the apartment was found to be grounded, so there may have been an electrical fault in the building.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident, including whether faulty electrical wiring or a grounded metal clothesline contributed to the electrocutions. —MCG/KG, GMA News