1 killed in another mining accident in Benguet

BENGUET, Philippines - One miner died and another one was injured after they were pinned down by collapsing timber at a supposedly abandoned mine tunnel Wednesday morning in Itogon town.

The fatality was identified as Orlando Dalasen, 29 of Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya while the injured victim was identified as Arnold Guiamas, 35, from Tadian, Mt. Province. Both victims are contractual miners of Benguet Corp. staying at the Old Forest Tree in Barangay Virac.

The victims died after being pinned down by collapsing timber at a mine tunnel inside Area 18, 364 Vein, 16 Slope at Level 1500 in Barangay Virac.

Police said the duo together with their co-miners was proceeding Wednesday morning to their designated working areas when the timber of the old fill tunnel collapsed.

Their surviving co-workers reported the incident to the Safety Department of the Benguet Corporation, which immediately launched rescue and retrieval operations.

The victims were brought to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical where Dalasen was declared dead on arrival while Guiamas was treated for various injuries in his feet.