2 kids swept away while crossing river in Lake Sebu

KORONADAL CITY – Two children died after they were swept by rampaging waters while crossing a river on their way home from school in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato on Wednesday afternoon, a Lake Sebu official said on Thursday.

Roberto Bagong, the Lake Sebu municipal disaster risk reduction and management council action officer, said the two boys, aged 8 and 9, were crossing the Lamlahak River in Barangay Lamlahak when the strong current carried them downstream.

They were homebound from the Lamlahak Elementary School when the incident happened at past 5 p.m., he said.

Bagong said the victims regularly crossed the river in going to school and in going home.

He said while there was light to moderate rain in Barangay Lamlahak on Wednesday, a heavy downpour occurred upstream, which was why the river swelled.

The bodies of the victims were separately recovered on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, Bagong added.