A teen drowns in Cagayan River after reportedly suffering an epileptic seizure while aboard a motorized boat in Brgy. Carallangan, Alcala, Cagayan.
The victim was identified as 16-year-old John Mark Costales, a motor banca operator and a resident of the area.
According to Jeffrey Aresta of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO)-Alcala, Costales was on the boat with three passengers and a companion heading toward Carallangan when the incident occurred.
While in the middle of the river, the victim reportedly experienced a seizure due to his epilepsy, causing him to fall into the water, which is approximately 20 meters deep.
Search efforts will continue on Saturday, but authorities face challenges due to the river’s strong current.
It was learned that Costales had only recently returned to the town but had long been operating boats in the area.
Aresta urged the public to immediately inform authorities or contact the MDRRMO hotline at 0997-8031353 if they spot the victim’s body, which was last seen wearing an orange sweatshirt.