CEBU, Philippines - The son of a councilor of Balamban town met his untimely death yesterday when an oxygen tank exploded past 10 a.m. at the welding shop he owns in Barangay Baliwagan.
The fatality was identified as Marquel Pilapil, son of Balamban Councilor Abel Pilapil.
Three others were also injured in the explosion – Grace Capampanga, the secretary, a certain Ranulfo and a certain Nestor. They sustained wounds to different parts of their body.
Details about the incident were sketchy as of yesterday but authorities said it is possible that there was a leak at the tank, which caught fire and triggered the explosion.
Another worker said he heard the explosion from afar and when he rushed to the shop to check, what greeted him was Marquel’s severed upper body.
The three injured workers were brought to the Balamban District Hospital but were later transferred to a hospital in Cebu City for further treatment.
Investigation is ongoing to determine the root cause of the incident. — /JMO (FREEMAN)