2 dead, 5 minors hurt as wall collapses in Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Two persons died while five children were injured when a portion of the retaining wall of a subdivision project in this city collapsed on four houses at past 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.

The fatalities were identified as Alan “Tera” Oporto, 40, who was recovered at around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday and Nestor Tapdasan, whose body was recovered past 7:00 a.m Wednesday by a team composed of Cebu City firemen and Air Force rescue personnel.

The houses of the victims were among the estimated 60 houses built along a creek in the area just outside the Casa Del Rio, a subdivision project of the Commonwealth Estate Inc. (CEI) in Sitio Kadahuan, Barangay (village) Talamban

The injured – Erich Mabuyao, 6; Erika Mabuyao, 11, Jorgie Tambagan, 9, Neil Marie Tambagan, 6, and Gerose Inggito, 12 – were brought to the North General Hospital for treatment.

Jonji Gonzales, CEI spokesman, said that immediately after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake shook Cebu and other areas on February 6, the company ordered an inspection on all of its project sites.

Gonzales said the inspection team found hairline cracks on the retaining wall so the company implemented repair works, which was still ongoing when the collapse occurred.

CEI would shoulder all necessary medical expenses of the victims admitted at the North General Hospital, Gonzales said in a text message.

The company would also provide financial assistance to the family of the two fatalities, he added.

“We are extending our deepest sympathy to the family of the two fatalities. We are praying for the quick recovery of those in the hospital,” Gonzales said in his text message.

Talamban Barangay councilor Sonny Inocando said there were 80 households or 400 people being evacuated, mostly to the barangay (village) sports complex.