4-YEAR-OLD CHILD DIES, TWO OTHER MINORS SURVIVE DROWNING INCIDENT IN LAPU-LAPU CITY
A four-year-old boy died after he and two other minors drowned while swimming in the waters near Angasil Wharf, Lapu-Lapu City.
The tragic incident happened on Friday, July 17, after four children reportedly left together and wandered toward the waterfront without adult supervision nearby.
The victim’s mother, Jen, said she was caring for her two other children at home when neighbors informed her about Ethan’s drowning.
She recalled that Ethan rarely wandered far from home and usually spent his time playing only in front of their residence daily.
Jen expressed disbelief after learning that Ethan had reached Angasil Wharf, which authorities said was relatively far from their family residence nearby.
She described her son as a loving child and a responsible older brother who always cared deeply for his younger siblings.
Based on the initial police investigation, four minors agreed to go out together before eventually reaching the shoreline during the afternoon.
Three of the children were seven years old, while Ethan, the youngest among them, was only four years old at that time.
Police said the children entered the water to swim, where three of them drowned before nearby individuals immediately responded to help.
Emergency responders rushed the victims to a hospital, but attending physicians declared Ethan dead on arrival despite immediate rescue and medical efforts.
Authorities confirmed that one of the two surviving seven-year-old children was already familiar with the waters surrounding the wharf before incident.
Police continue reviewing nearby surveillance footage while urging parents to closely supervise their children and prevent access to dangerous areas always.
Source: Brigada News FM Cebu
