Boy, 14, his uncle suffocate to death inside deep well

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A 14-year-old boy and his 30-year-old uncle died of suffocation inside a deep well in Tigbauan town, Iloilo.

Inspector Hermogenes Eulatic, Tigbauan police chief, identified the fatalities as Jimmy Basilio and his uncle, Joebel Somido, both residents of Bugasongan Village.

Witnesses said there were a group of men doing some repairs at a 50-foot deep well late morning on Tuesday. Basilio reportedly borrowed a bucket to fetch water from the well, but he lost grip on the rope attached to the bucket.

Basilio allegedly went down to retrieve the pail, but he tumbled down and shouted for help. This prompted Somido to hurriedly go down to save the boy, but he, too, collapsed.

Several others attempted to check what happened and tried to help the two. However, upon reaching the well’s mid-level, they were forced to climb back up, complaining of difficulty in breathing.

Witnesses later asked for assistance to rescue the two victims. Members of the Tigbauan Bureau of Fire Protection came in to help, and they had to use oxygen tanks in going down to retrieve the two victims.

Fire Officer 1 Jeckyll Tangente tried to revive the victims before bringing them to a hospital in Guimbal town, but the two were declared dead on arrival.

It was theorized that Basilio and Somido died to insufficient supply of air at the deepest part of the well inside the deep well. Investigation is still going on. —(FREEMAN)