MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed that seven members of the dragon boat team died after their boat capsized in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan on Wednesday morning, September 25.
The victims were part of an all-male team of Boracay residents called the “Dragon Force.”
There were 14 survivors in the accident, occured along Sitio Lingganay in Barangay Manoc-manoc.
The human-powered watercraft sank off about 200-300 meters away from the shore around 7 a.m.
PCG added that "dragon boat team was having their practice when sudden strong waves hit them which caused them to capsize."
Meanwhile, Aklan Municipal Mayor Frolibar Bautista told CNN Philippines that the team is preparing for an international competition.
"Maalon at saka nakita ko sa picture na maliit lang ang dragon boat nila. Malakas ang alon at maliit lang, may tendency talaga mag-capsize. At rocky ang area. Ang daming injuries, inflicted wounds pagkatapos tumama sa bato," Bautista added.
Further investigation of the accident is ongoing.
— The Summit Express
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| Philippine Coast Guard conducts search and rescue operations on capsized dragon boat with 21 members of Boracay Dragon Force Team onboard | Photo from Philippine Coast Guard |
The victims were part of an all-male team of Boracay residents called the “Dragon Force.”
There were 14 survivors in the accident, occured along Sitio Lingganay in Barangay Manoc-manoc.
The human-powered watercraft sank off about 200-300 meters away from the shore around 7 a.m.
PCG added that "dragon boat team was having their practice when sudden strong waves hit them which caused them to capsize."
Meanwhile, Aklan Municipal Mayor Frolibar Bautista told CNN Philippines that the team is preparing for an international competition.
"Maalon at saka nakita ko sa picture na maliit lang ang dragon boat nila. Malakas ang alon at maliit lang, may tendency talaga mag-capsize. At rocky ang area. Ang daming injuries, inflicted wounds pagkatapos tumama sa bato," Bautista added.
Further investigation of the accident is ongoing.
— The Summit Express
