3 school kids die, 2 missing in Antique bridge collapse
Three schoolchildren died while two others were missing after the hanging bridge they were crossing along Paliwan River in Brgy. Santiago, Laua-an town collapsed at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Antique Police Provincial Office identified the victims as Juvy Espino and Nelibeth Aretano, both 14, and Keith Manuel Egan, 11.
Espino and Aretano’s bodies were immediately recovered while Egan’s was found at 5:30 a.m. yesterday along the riverbank of Brgy. Paningayan.
APPO director Senior Supt. Ruperto Floro said that search and rescue operations continue for the two remaining children as of press time.
They were identified as Risa Aretano, 13, and Margie Demetrio, 10.
The five children were among the 15 pupils of Santiago Elementary School who crossed the 30-meter hanging bridge after school.
Floro said there was heavy downpour then and the current was strong due to the rising floodwaters.
As the children were crossing, the bamboo bridge, supported by steel bars, gave way.
The 10 were rescued by village residents while the five were swept away by the strong current.
Combined search and rescue teams led by Antique Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council were deployed to the area.
The hanging bridge was put up after the old one was destroyed by Typhoon Frank in June 2008.
The municipal government of Laua-an is now working to build a temporary bridge that will connect the residents of Santiago village to the town proper.*
