Youth drowns while trekking
CEBU, Philippines — One person died while three were rescued after youths trekking at the Budlaan Falls were stranded due to the sudden rise in water levels caused by heavy rains last Saturday afternoon.
The fatality was a 21-year-old male resident of Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City. Those rescued were a 21-year-old female from Cordova Town and two males aged 19 and 21 from Cebu City.
Fire Officer 1 Cheska Jem Embudo of the BFP-7 Special Rescue Force said that past 5 P.M. last Saturday, 911 requested assistance from them because it was confirmed that someone was stranded in Budlaan Falls.
They responded immediately and arrived in Barangay Budlaan at past 6 P.M. When they arrived, they had to transfer to another vehicle belonging to Barangay Budlaan because it was the only vehicle that could traverse the narrow road.
The four were trekking in the area while it was still light out. But the water in the river rose, stranding the victims and later carrying them away. One survivor was later found in the Mukpok area, while the others were rescued near Budlaan Falls.
All those involved in the incident belonged to different groups, with the fatality and the female rescued in one and the two youths from Cebu City in the other.
It is still being investigated whether they had a guide or went there by themselves.
"Wala man koy nakita nga guide didto, na istoryahan gani nako to ang duha nga next time mag-plan mo mag ingon-ani log mo sa Barangay inkaso unsa gani mahitabo sa inyoha, ma trace mo, makapangayo og tabang," said Embudo. (CEBU NEWS)
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