5 dead, 8 hurt as platform collapses in Subic shipyard

SUBIC, Zambales, Philippines  – Five workers were killed and at least eight others were seriously injured, some of them reportedly losing their legs, in an accident at the Keppel ship repair facility in this town yesterday morning.

Subic Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun said a 42-ton elevated ramp collapsed and fell on the workers.

Khonghun identified the five fatalities as Marc San Juan, Jaylord Reyes, Glen Miranda, Crisander Papna, and Ronald Lara.

The eight injured were identified as Eleasar Elopre, Berlindo Asinas, Belmor de la Vega, Ronal Bagay, Wency May Balaba, Abet Recania, Diosdado Motea, and Alvin Renaverde.

The accident took place at around 10:20 a.m. at the forward drydock of the Keppel shipyard where the steel platform was used as a bridge in going to MV Tombarra, which was undergoing repair.

Khonghun said he talked to the Keppel vice president for safety who “could not believe they would have an accident with fatalities.”

“The shipyard company told me that they will give proper compensation and medical help to the workers involved in the accident,” Khonghun told The STAR.

“Because it happened inside the ship repair facility, they are responsible for those involved in the accident,” he said.

Khonghun said the ship repair facility is under the supervision of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

Mediamen and municipal government personnel were barred from entering the shipyard. –-Bebot Sison Jr. The Philippine Star with Ding Cervantes, Ric Sapnu