3 electrocuted at jamboree; 12 injured

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —  Three members of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) died while 12 others were injured following an accident at a jamboree site in Barangay Pasonanca in this city yesterday morning.

The incident occurred at around 9 a.m. at the Freedom Park in Sitio Abong-abong, where 2,900 scouts gathered for the three-day 2024 Council Scouts Jamborette.

Investigation showed 15 scouts were instructed to relocate a tent at the camp site. During the transfer, the steel frame of the tent hit a dangling live wire, electrocuting the scouts.

Zamboanga City police chief Col. Kimberly Molitas said three of the victims – Geoffrey Atillano, Alin Gaspar and Kein Iquid – were declared dead on arrival at the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC).

Molitas said probers have yet to determine the severity of injuries suffered by the victims, including those who are confined at the hospital’s burn unit.

Among those injured were scouts aged nine, 11 and 12 years, according to ZCMC spokesperson Shadrina Sarapuddin.

Mayor John Dalipe ordered the jamboree canceled to ensure the safety of all participants.

The local council of the BSP has taken full responsibility for the incident.

Clemjay Carzada, a member of the local BSP executive board and camp director, said the fatalities and the injured scouts had been helping the BSP council and had undergone proper training.

Carzada said the BSP national council has been informed of the incident.

The Department of Education coordinated with the BSP in informing parents of the victims, according to Schools Division governance and operations chief Basilio Uy.