11 year old girl drowns in Mt. Province river; body found in nearby Ilocos Sur

BAGUIO CITY(May 5, 2022)—An 11 year old girl who drowned along the Balas-iyan River that straddles along Mabalite, Tadian town and Besao town in Mountain Province was retrieved early Thursday morning downstream at sitio Bab-asig, Barangay Patiacan, Quirino, Ilocos Sur.

The victim —Adelfa Ayomen — was reported missing moments after she was swept by the strong river current at around 7:00 PM Wednesday.   She is the daughter of the Barangay Captain of Mabalite, Tadian, Mountain Province.

According to reports, the girl came from tending their farm and while she and her companions were heading home crossing the river, the water level suddenly rose taking a very strong current prompted by a strong afternoon rain.

A search and rescue operation was immediately launched by villagers and rescue team from the Quirino town LGU  scouring the river at Poblacion, Cayus, Banoen, Malideg, Iteb in Quirino, Ilocos Sur.

The team finally found the body at Barangay Patiacan, Quirino at 3:49 AM Thursday.

Artemio A. Dumlao