Kristine’s onslaught in Bicol Region: 16 dead, 6 missing

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine

Philippine Coast Guard rescue residents in Sitio Libas, Barangay Maguiron, Guinobatan, Albay, October 23, 2024. | PHOTO COURTESY OF PCG / FILE

LEGAZPI CITY —At least 16 people have died and six remain missing following the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) in the Bicol Region, authorities reported Thursday, Oct. 24.

Gremil Alexis Naz, spokesperson for the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol, revealed that a rain-induced landslide in Caramoran, Catanduanes, claimed four lives, including three minors, on Tuesday.

A 71-year-old man from Bagamanoc, Catanduanes, also died on the same day after falling from the roof of his house.

In Palanas, Masbate, a 22-year-old man was fatally injured by a falling tree branch on Oct. 22. Meanwhile, in Legazpi City, Albay, a 55-year-old jeepney driver was electrocuted while removing a sagging wire near Barangay 24 Rizal on Wednesday.

READ: OCD: PH asking Asean partners for assets backing amid Kristine

In Guinobatan, Albay, three people lost their lives when a landslide buried two houses in Barangay Maguiron early Wednesday.

A 77-year-old man was initially rescued but later died in the hospital. Authorities eventually recovered the bodies of a mother and her daughter, who were trapped inside their home as the landslide struck.

In Libon, Albay, an elderly man was found dead inside his home after being trapped by floodwaters, according to the municipal disaster risk reduction office.

In Camarines Sur, the body of an 11-year-old boy who fell into a canal in Barangay San Nicolas, Iriga City, on Tuesday was found on Thursday. In Calabanga, a 43-year-old farmer was discovered dead in a banana plantation after his boat capsized while attempting to rescue relatives.

READ: Kristine keeps strength over Northern Luzon; 7 areas under Signal No. 3

In Naga City, an 8-year-old girl was found dead near Yabu River in Barangay Concepcion Grande on Wednesday morning. She was believed to have been swept away by strong floodwaters while trying to evacuate. Another unidentified woman was found near a river in Barangay Balatas later that day.

In Juban, Sorsogon, a man was found dead near the Cadac-an River on Wednesday, Oct. 23. He had been carried away by strong floodwaters while walking home on Tuesday night.

Some incidents are still under validation by local government units to determine if they are related to the storm.

OCD-Bicol spokesperson Alexis Naz also reported that five people have been missing since Oct. 22 in San Fernando and Dimasalang, Masbate. In Albay, Libon Mayor Wilfredo Maronilla confirmed that a woman went missing after a landslide buried at least 20 houses on Wednesday afternoon. INQ

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan