Caluya official identifies 5th Semirara coal mining accident victim, says 4 still missing

An official of the local government of Caluya, Antique on Saturday announced the retrieval and identification of a fifth victim of a mining site accident.

The body of Bernie Manrique, 39, was found during retrieval operations at 3:40 a.m. Saturday, Pauline Rose L. Geroche, municipal information officer of Caluya, said.

“We now have five (5) confirmed deaths, and four (4) still missing,” she said.

Geroche earlier said the body of Danilo Dayupan was found at 9:26 p.m. Friday.

The Caluya local government on Friday confirmed the deaths of Alexander Nudo, Ricardo Panes, and Arnold Omac.

Landslide

The Office of Civil Defense reported that a portion of the mining site of the Semirara Mining and Power Company collapsed Friday due to a landslide.

“A portion of the mine (site) collapsed, burying nine workers,” the report said.

Thirteen workers were at the collapsed mining site when the incident happened, but four managed to run to safety.

Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao told dzBB radio that initial information reaching her indicated the incident occurred at 3 a.m. Friday.

Cadiao said it was raining heavily for days on the mine site, on an island off the main island of Panay in the Visayas Region.

Suspension of operations

The Department of Energy on Friday ordered the suspension of the coal mining operations in Semirara Island following the collapse.

“The Department of Energy has ordered the immediate suspension of the operations of Coal Operating Contract No. 5 Semirara, Antique effective immediately,” the official statement said.

Energy office-in-charge Zenaida Monsada also ordered the formation of a panel to probe the incident. The panel will be headed by Assistant Secretary Raymond Acol. —KG, GMA News

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