Heavy rain traps 2 workers inside coal mining hole in Zamboanga Sibugay

PAGADIAN CITY – Two men were reportedly trapped inside a mining hole in Barangay Gandiangan, Imelda town, Zamboanga Sibugay Thursday afternoon as heavy rain poured in the area.

Coal mining hole owner Arnel Decipulo identified the two miners as Richard Campayan Atayde, 38, and Wilfredo Ogao-Ogao Fuentes, 45.

The Imelda police reported that both victims were inside the coal mining hole at 4:30 p.m. but could not get out because of the heavy rain.

The coal mining hole had been flooded, prompting the local disaster reduction and management team, village officials and Imelda town police to conduct search-and-rescue operations for the two workers.

Search-and-rescue operations stopped Thursday evening and resumed on Friday.