One high school student died while four others remain missing after a flash flood swept them away while swimming in a river in Roseller T. Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay, on Thursday, Sept. 24.
In a report Saturday, police said one of the victims, identified as a certain Dave, was recovered dead, while four others remain missing.
Initial investigation by the Roseller T. Lim Municipal Police Station (RT Lim MPS) revealed that eleven Grade 11 students from Surabay National High School went swimming at the river in Purok Santan around 4:30 p.m.
Heavy rainfall suddenly hit the area, causing the river’s water level to rise rapidly and triggering strong currents that washed away the five victims.
Six other students survived the deluge.
A local municipal rescuer personally appeared at the RT Lim MPS to turn over the six survivors after their rescue.
Police officers led by police chief Lieutenant Editho Talison, together with local responders, are continuing search and rescue operations to locate the four missing students.