Two sisters drowned while swimming in Barangay Estanza in Lingayen, Pangasinan, marking the first drowning case in the province in 2024. 

Kimpee Jayson Cruz, Deputy Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer of Lingayen, said the sisters were reportedly carried away to a part of the sea where there was rip current. 

"Allegedly ang napuntahan nila na area is ‘yung area na may rip current o sabang. Doon sa pinag-park nila na area, walang rip current doon pero napadpad sila [yung dalawa] sa rip current, umusog sila, ” Cruz said. 

The victims were identified as Marialyn Joy and Joanna Mae Sarmiento. They were with relatives when the incident happened. They went to Lingayen from Nueva Ecija only to visit.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said there are warning signs in place at the beach.

"Sa iba’t-ibang area ng beach sa Lingayen, may signages kami about rip current o sabang. May paalala doon na kailangang gawin ng mga tao. May color coding na red, yellow and green area. Green area is safe talaga, yellow, caution lang, red ay no swimming zone,” Cruz said.