8-year old boy drowns in irrigation canal in Kalinga

BAGUIO CITY(August 10, 2021)— After more than 11 hours of searching, personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Kalinga and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) retrieved the body of an 8-year-old boy who drowned in the irrigation canal in Bulanao Centro, Tabuk City, Kalinga.

At around 7:44 AM Tuesday (August 10, 2021), the body of Sheyne Natarte was found 500 meters away from spot he drowned.

Around 2PM Monday, the boy drowned in the irrigation canal and went missing since then.  Before that, the kid went for a swim with his 10-year old brother together with another boy.

According to the PDRRMC, the boys tied a rope on both edge of the canal for them to hold on for safety while swimming. But the victim was not able to hold on the rope and was swept away by the under current.

The brother was said to to grasped the hand of the victim but he eventually was pulled by the strong under current.

The older brother then rushed to their grandmother who sought help from the authorities.  Villagers also helped in searching for the boy.

The rescuers scoured the waters of the irrigation canal overnight to find the kid.

Artemio A. Dumlao