Rescuers, assisted by gold panners, found the body of Smets on August 2, three days after the fatal incident, while Carreras’ body was recovered the following day.
Benguet Governor Raul Molintas said the bodies would be repatriated as soon as the required documents including the death certificates and autopsy reports are completed. He assured the Belgian Embassy that his office is helping in securing the said documents.
Smets and Carreras were part of the seven-man team of the Belgium chapter of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) who arrived in Manila last July 29 for a two-week solidarity troop to indigenous communities in Itogon and Benguet.
Residents said the two were wading along the river when they were swept by strong undercurrents. — Artemio Dumlao