Four die from gas poisoning in Nueva Vizcaya

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines — Three persons, believed to be treasure hunters, and a village official died from methane gas poisoning in a tunnel in Purok 3, Barangay Magsaysay Hill in this town on Monday.

Dionisio Alisen, 62; Jeremias Padilla, 64, and Selvino Mendoza, 63, were trapped while digging a tunnel, according to reports received by town police chief Maj. Frederick Ferrer.

Marlon Orden, 38, council member of Barangay Magsaysay Hill, reportedly tried to rescue the three, but failed to surface after inhaling the methane.

Marlon Siopon, 32, tried to follow Orden, but he lost consciousness. He was pulled out by villagers.

Authorities sought help from a rescue team of the Didipio Mine of OceanaGold, Bureau of Fire Protection, Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Office and local police to retrieve the bodies of the four victims.