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Selfie turns fatal as boat capsizes in Rizal; 8 die


Eight people passed away after their boat capsized while they were taking selfies at a fishery in Binangonan, Rizal on Sunday afternoon, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita on Monday.

The boat overturned at a part of Laguna Lake near Binangonan when the passengers rushed to one side to take a selfie as the boat only had one outrigger or katig.

"Ayon sa kwento ng bangkero, 'yung mga pasahero niya nagkukuha ng picture, nagseselfie-selfie. 'Yung bigat napunta du'n sa lugar na walang katig," Noli Celestro from the Binangonan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said.

The fatalities were identified as Neymaret Mendoza, Malou Gimena, Marilou Barbo Papa, Frederick Orteza, Weldie Pareno, Roleno Pareno, six-year-old Sean Wilfred Orteza, and two-year-old Jajannah Jensom Parseno.

Only five passengers survived. They were identified as Grace Parena, Merlita Hominez, Gerson Decreto, 10-year-old Joash Pareno, and seven-year-old Maxine Orteza.

Investigators believe some of the victims were trapped between the boat and mire of the fishery and were unable to swim up to the surface or push up the heavy fiberglass boat.

None of the victims wore a life vest and though the boat operator could be faulted for the lack of foresight, all of the victims signed an affidavit stating they could not sue the operator in case of an accident.

"Siguro may pagkukulang din 'yung operator ng bangka. Hindi niya nabigyan ng briefing 'yung pasahero niya. Isa pa sa nangyari du'n, walang mga life vests na kailangang-kailangan 'pag bibiyahe tayo sa tubig," Celestro said.

Binangonan police said the survivors are acquainted with the operator. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News

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