Miner gets hit by falling coal, dies

CEBU, Philippines – A 20-year-old miner died after he was hit by falling coal inside a tunnel at the Ibalong Mining Company in barangay Dumalan, Dalaguete the other day.

The fatality was identified as Charlie Bismanos, a resident of barangay Dumalann.

Investigation revealed that Bismanos was walking inside the mine together with another miner when the coal debris fell off the ceiling and hit the victim on the head and face, which rendered him unconscious.

Bismano’s father who also works at the mine was the one who carried him outside the tunnel, while another companion and the mine nurse rushed the victim to the Ildefonso Alcantara Memorial Hospital but he was declared dead on the arrival.

The hospital’s director, Dr. Ensoñacion Alcantara, said hospital said difficulty in breathing after being hit by the degree contributed to the victim’s death. Bismanos’ mouth sustained a major injury and a nerve on his jaw was also cut.

Tuburan police chief Reyman Tolentin said he already ordered an investigation into the incident to determine whether the Taiwanese-owned mine committed some lapses. He said the rain could have caused the ground to loosen and the coal to fall off.

“Bisan pa walay uwan-uwan sa Poblacion pero ang bukid-bukid nga dapit sa minahan naay uwan-uwan… mao na sab na amung tan-awon,” Tolentin said.

SPO1 Cleofe Pia, the investigating officer, described the area of the incident as “very deep,” albeit it was only about 35 meters away from the entrance of the tunnel. The coal that hit Bismano was reportedly comparable to a human thigh.

Pia said the engineer of the mine said they did not lack precautionary measures and that what happened was pure accident. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO (THE FREEMAN)