Cyanide downs 40, kills two Ilocos Sur fishermen
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/07/2008 11:20 PM
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At least 40 people were hospitalized with symptoms of cyanide poisoning after wading through the waters of Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur. Two of them have died as of Tuesday morning.
The fatalities were identified as Ronald Jacinto and Loreto Cabradillo, both fishermen and residents of Barangay Pilar.
Of the 40 victims, 23 were taken to the Tagudin Hospital after complaining of illnesses believed to be the effects of exposure to cyanide.
“Masakit iyong ulo ko… nanghihina,” said Jake Ryan Balansa, one of the victims.
Chief Inspector Jugith Del Prado, Sta. Cruz police commander, said the most of the victims felt the effects of cyanide poisoning days after wading in the waters of Barangay Pilar to gather a type of small fish called “ipon”.
“Hindi po namin agad naramdaman iyong epekto,” said victim Jomar Laurentino.
Del Prado said they are still checking for the origin of the chemical that has contaminated the sea.
He added that they already advised Pilar residents to avoid wading through the contaminated waters.
Meanwhile, local officials of Pilar sought financial help from the provincial government of Ilocos Sur for their hospital expenses. With a report from Carah Dularte, ABS-CBN Baguio
