MANILA, Philippines — Close to 20 fatalities have been recorded by the Philippine National Police (PNP) due to drowning during the observance of Holy Week.
According to a report by ABS-CBN on Saturday, 19 individuals ranging from 5 to 65 years old have died due to drowning.
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CALABARZON (Region 4A) saw the highest number of deaths at seven.
On the other hand, two fatalities and one injury were recorded in road crashes in Central Luzon. Two more were hurt in a separate vehicular incident in Bicol Region.
Thousands of Filipinos from urban areas flock to the provinces during the observance of the Lenten season to spend time with family during the religious occassion.
The recent spate in drowning incidents occured a week after PAGASA declared the start of warm and dry season, which starts after the termination of the "amihan" or northeast monsoon season.
The state weather bureau earlier warned of "dangerous heat indexes" in over 11 areas across the country on Black Saturday.
The warm and dry weather is expected to worsen in May 2024, with heat indexes seen reaching "extreme danger" levels at 52°C and above.