Five Korean nationals landed at the hospital after the banana boat they were riding on slammed on rocks near a mangrove area in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City on May 26, 2024.
Three of them are children ages six years old, nine years old, and 10 years old. The other two are male adults, ages 44 years old and 63 years old.
As of posting time, the five were dispensed from the hospital; but they moved reportedly to another medical facility.
The manager of the dive shop refused an interview when the news team tried to reach the the jet ski operator for comment. However, in an off-camera interview, the operator said that they settled the matter amicably with the Korean guests.
According to the Lapu-Lapu City Police, the five are from one family. Earlier, they sought assistance to experience extreme water sports. They rented a banana boat in one of the diving resorts in Barangay Maribago.
But when the group reached Barangay Agus, strong winds blew and created huge waves that sent the banana boat smashing onto rocks, throwing the Koreans off.
Two of the youngsters reportedly sustained bumps on the forehead, while the other child and the elderly suffered from abrasions and contusions.
The 44-year-old Korean sustained wounds on his left arm.
Chief Petty Officer Richard Historia, commander of Coast Guard Cordova Sub-station, said that because there was no gale warning issued by state weather bureau PAGASA in Central Visayas, they did not stop any vessel from leaving the port including crafts engaged in water sports.
But Engr. Jhomer Eclarino, weather specialist at PAGASA Visayas, said that eventhough the weather disturbance that day was already over the coastal waters of Luzon, sea waves in Cebu were still dangerous for small vessels.
Despite claims that both parties have already settled amicably, the foreigners can still lodge a complaint against any negligence on the part of the banana boat operator, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Christian Torres, spokesperson of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.
