7 dead, 14 rescued as dragon boat capsizes in Philippines
Kalibo (Philippines): The Philippines coast guard said seven rowers drowned and 14 others were rescued when their dragon boat overturned Wednesday after being lashed by strong waves during a practice run off a popular resort island.
Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo said the accident happened off Boracay island in the central Philippines' Aklan province where a local dragon boat team was practicing ahead of a rowing competition.
Survivors of the accident, including a Chinese and a Russian, were brought by coast guard personnel and authorities to a hospital, Balilo said. The boat capsized less than half a kilometer (a third of a mile) from the nearest beach.
Friends, supporters and fellow rowers expressed shock and offered prayers for the sudden deaths in the team's Facebook account.
Dragon boat rowing using Chinese-style canoes adorned with dragon designs and manned by a team of paddlers and a drum beater on board have long been popular in the Philippines, with teams competing in domestic and Asian competitions.
There was no storm battering the region and government forecasters said light to moderate winds were expected Wednesday with generally calm seas, but weather in the region has been known to suddenly shift.
Last month, 31 people died when their two ferries capsized in the Iloilo Strait after being suddenly buffeted by fierce waves and winds off Guimaras and Iloilo provinces, not far from Boracay.
In 100 bail orders: 'Videos' used for arrest in 44; 32 of these failed ...
22 Feb 2021 7:11 PM GMTDelhi Police say 1,753 held but courts heard over 4,347 bail pleas
21 Feb 2021 8:26 PM GMT755 FIRs and 342 chargesheets against 1,553 people later – not a...
21 Feb 2021 7:48 PM GMTOf courts' bugbears, most common 'doubtful' police, public witness...
23 Feb 2021 7:29 PM GMTA Delhi Police-sized roadblock in victims' path to justice — clubbing...
25 Feb 2021 7:39 PM GMT
Nepal Army helicopter lands at possible site of plane crash after...
29 May 2022 11:03 AM GMTCentre implementing infra projects worth Rs 1,34,200 crore in NE:...
29 May 2022 10:52 AM GMTPlane with 22 people, including 4 Indians, on board missing in Nepal's ...
29 May 2022 10:15 AM GMTUN envoy decries Sudan violence after 2 killed in protests
29 May 2022 10:14 AM GMTIndian startups created value, wealth even during pandemic: PM
29 May 2022 9:34 AM GMT