Norwegian drowns in Batangas resort

Batangas drowning. INQUIRER FILES

LUCENA CITY — A Norwegian national drowned on Tuesday after he was swept away by big waves while swimming in the waters off Calatagan town in Batangas province, police said on Wednesday, July 26.

The Region 4A police said in a report that Gorgan Hagesater, 42, and his companion Christian Atle Hanse, 43, went swimming about 1:30 p.m. in Casa Castillero Resort in Barangay Sta. Ana despite the bad weather due to Typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri).

While at 200 meters away from the shoreline, the two were swept away by strong currents and dragged to the deeper portion of the sea, the report said.

Hanse was able to hold on to a life ring buoy but Hagesater failed to resist the force of the waves which carried him away.

Hanse was later taken to the nearest hospital and is now in stable condition.

Calatagan police told the Inquirer Wednesday morning that the search-and-rescue operation found the floating body of Hagesater later in the afternoon.

The report stated that the two Norwegians are residents of Pasig City but did not specify if they were tourists.