South Cotabato disaster officer Rolly Aquino (with mask) speaks to a relative of blast victim Nelfren Fanuga Cabuhay, 40, at the South Corabato provincial hospital in Koronadal City, hours after a helium gas tank explosion in nearby Norala, South Cotabato. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY ROLLY AQUINO
KORONADAL CITY – A 10-year-old child was killed while four other family members were injured when a helium gas tank exploded in Norala, South Cotabato Sunday.
Police Major Bernie Faldas, chief of Norala police office, said the blast occurred at past 9 a.m. at Purok Reloquemas, Barangay Poblacion, Norala, South Cotabato.
Faldas said Jeffren John Cabuhay was declared dead on arrival at the Norala district hospital while four of his other family members and a 10-year old playmate were injured after a helium gas tank went exploded at the Rapista residence, where they were preparing balloons for a party.
Injured were Jeffren John’s father Nelfren Fanuga Cabuhay, 40 and mother Geralden, 39; two siblings aged 11 and 8 and his 10-year-old playmate.
Nelfren and wife Geralden are balloon vendors and residents of Barangay Zone 3 here. They were inflating balloons for a party while the children were playing nearby when the helium gas tank exploded, Faldas said.
South Cotabato disaster officer Rolly Aquino said Geraldine is in critical condition due to shrapnel wounds in various parts of her body.
All the victims are now at South Cotabato provincial hospital.
Norala Mayor Clemente Fedoc said scene of the crime operatives are still determining what caused the helium gas tank to explode.