Korean tourist killed in banana boat accident

A female Korean tourist was killed while two others were wounded when the banana boat they rode on was hit by a pumpboat on Sunday noon  in barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

Police identified the fatality as Ji Sung Sok, 50, of South Korea.

Her wounded companions were brought to the Mactan Doctors’ Hospital.

Lee Og Kyung, 51, suffered head injuries while Park Mi So, 52, had cuts on the lip.

Based on their passports, the Koreans arrived in Cebu last Nov 12 and were expected to return home on Dec. 3.

The three Koreans boarded a banana boat, which was being pulled by a jetski driven by Giovanni Paquibot.

Paquibot, 38 of Olango Island, Cebu, was supposed to bring the banana boat passengers to a coral reef area in the waters of sitio Looc, barangay Maribago.

But the banana boat was hit by a pumpboat, which was loaded with 20 Koreans who were on island-hopping.

Alsin Tongoc, who manned the pumpboat, told the police that he was heading to Olango Island when the jetski suddenly crossed their path, said PO2 Luisito Ernie of the Lapu-Lapu police.

Police said Paquibot didn’t see the pumpboat coming because he was looking in another direction. Tongoc didn’t have enough time to steer the pumpboat and avoid the banana boat.

Paquibot and Tongco were detained at the police station pending the results of the investigation to determine who was at fault./CORRESPONDENTS JHUNNEX NAPALLACAN AND NORMAN V. MENDOZA