Authorities and various response teams are continuing extensive search, rescue, and retrieval operations for four individuals still missing after a section of the Agana Bridge in Tarlac City collapsed.
The incident occurred around 7:40 PM on August 29, when a Toyota Avanza carrying five occupants was swept away by powerful water currents following the bridge’s partial collapse.
This catastrophic event transpired amidst widespread flooding in Central Luzon, exacerbated by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) influenced by Super Typhoon Goring (international name Saola) and later Super Typhoon Hanna (international name Haikui), which brought torrential rains to the region.
Only one of the five vehicle occupants, Nathaniel Dizon, has been successfully rescued by a dedicated team following the incident.
The search persists for the four other passengers: Paul Harvey Collado, James Patrick Taborlupa, Shiela Mae Taborlupa, and Shonen Tuhaw.
Current water conditions remain unsafe for the deployment of boats and other floating devices, posing significant risks to rescuers due to the river’s strong and rapid currents.