What Brought Bagyo Milenyo to Igbaras

Recue workers help residents cross the
Sungsongon overflow bridge, whre the
ill-fated jeepney fell, amid strong water
current on Monday.




Residents cross the "overflow" bridge in Sungsongon, Brgy. Barasan, Igbaras, Iloilo after water from the Tangyan river subsided Tuesday afternoon. Inset photo shows raging water current overflowing the bridge last Monday hours after a jeepney full of passengers fell and was carried away by water.

Death toll up to 23, 22 still missing as 25 survive raging waters
By Florence F. Hibionada and Erly C. Garcia
The News Today

Igbaras, Iloilo--Hopes of finding any more survivors in the raging waters of Tangyan River along Igbaras, Iloilo dimmed as members of rescue groups now similarly focused current efforts to search and retrieval operations from Monday's "search and rescue."

As of noon Tuesday, the number of survivors remained at 25, the death toll now up to 23 as 22 others remain missing and feared dead in what stands to be the worst tragedy to hit this Iloilo southern town.

The incident occurred late Monday morning after a passenger jeepney carrying some 70 passengers who attended the burial of a certain Remo Eguico in Igbaras town proper was carried away by the raging current of water while crossing the 120-meter Sungsongan "overflow" bridge by Barangay Barasan.

Igbaras Rural Health Unit identified the 23 recovered dead bodies as: Zenaida Escubin, 63, Redelia Pait, 66, Rufino Efalan, 73, Domingo Embellado, 48, Kent Anthony Efalan, 3, Rodolfo Hermoso, 63, Josefina Efalan, 65, Encarnacion Javelona, 58, Aida Elmadin, 48, Estelita Mampula, 68, Luisa Elumba, 66, Remedios Ecijo, 68, Virgie Eguilos, 61, Evangeline Embiado, 33, Karylle Vien Efalan, 8, Romulo Mampula, 59, Marvin Del Rio, Anecito Ermeje, Margie Elumba, Margarita Ecijo, Margarito Elumba, Emma Flor Mampula and Antonio Estrellanes.

Those who are still missing as of press time are Ruel Efalan, Kris Vincent Efalan, Conchita Embalsado, Doris Estrellanes, Ponciano Edang, Esperanza Efalan, Fermina Odanggo, Eugenia Teves, Constancio Teves, Josefina Embate, Asuzena Idca, Rosalinda Esmediana, Rudy Niocasion, Jude Conde, Junior Pidok Ibanog, Tony Jim Estrellanes, Romulo Erpe, Rose Idca, Victor Embiado, Merlyn Javelona and Linda Ermeje.