Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna , Philippines – Five children aged four to seven died of electrocution after they accidentally stepped on a fallen live wire in Pila, Laguna Tuesday afternoon, police said.
Senior Inspector Anthony Gatang, Pila police chief, identified the victims as Samuel Latigo and Angel Joy Lavares, both aged four; John Carlo Serdan, seven; and brothers John Lorenz Alberto, six, and John Alvin Alberto, seven, all residents of Barangay Bulilan Sur, Pila town.
Reports said the victims were playing on a road in Barangay Mojon at around 5 p.m. Tuesday when they stepped on the live wire.
Three of the children died on the spot, while the two others died while being treated at the provincial hospital in Sta. Cruz town.
An official of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said they could not be held liable for the children’s death.
Meralco lead man Araneta said the original electric connection could have been damaged and the residents replaced it with an improvised cable connection instead of reporting the matter to the utility firm. – With Ed Amoroso and Cecille Suerte Felipe