PCG says 7 dead after dragon boat capsizes off Boracay

https://www.facebook.com/philcoastguardofficialpage/posts/380246379310689

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that a dragon boat capsized in Boracay Island, leaving seven individuals dead.

According to the PCG, the Boracay Dragon Force Team, consisting of 21 members, were having their practice at Sitio Lingganay, Barangay Manoc-Manoc when sudden strong waves hit their boat, causing them to capsize. The incident happened on Wednesday, September 25, at around 7:40 a.m.

Upon learning about it, personnel of Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Boracay immediately went to the area and conducted search and rescue operations.

Fourteen rescued individuals were brought to Saint Gabriel Hospital for medical attention.

“Identification of the victims will be withheld for the next 24 hours until the next of kin have been notified,” it said.

The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), meanwhile, expressed their sympathies to families of the seven paddlers who passed away and offered their prayers for the immediate recuperation of those injured.

“May peace and comfort find the hearts of the bereaved family of our departed brothers and sisters in this sport. May God’s healing and grace descend upon those who are recovering,” it said.

The PDBF also encouraged the use of personal floatation device during training “to avoid incidents that lead to unnecessary loss of life or sustenance of injury.” it added that it educated their member clubs about proper safety protocols in case of the sinking of boats.

“The PDBF is committed to ensuring that people who are doing dragon boat in the Philippines are well-equipped with proper information and know-hows in case of water emergencies,” the group said.