Two children were killed and two others injured after four students were electrocuted during a bubble fun run at an elementary school in Cauayan, Isabela, Philippines, on Saturday (Oct 3).
The victims, aged six to nine, were affected by the incident, with two students aged seven and eight reportedly dying at the scene. The other two were taken to hospitals in the city for treatment.
A nine-year-old survivor sustained wounds to his arms and hands and was later discharged from hospital, while a six-year-old remained under observation.
Parents reportedly heard electrical buzzing
The event, which attracted more than 1,000 participants, began at 4am. The incident was reported at 6.20am, according to Inquirer.
Participants ran for several kilometres before returning to the school’s finish line, where they took part in a bubble party.
Jeffrey Feliciano, a social media user who shared a video of the event, told ABS-CBN that several parents had reported hearing the sound of electricity buzzing.
“Many parents said they were constantly hearing the buzzing of electricity,” he said.
“Some parents even began calling their children over,” he added.
Boy found unconscious during bubble party
The video shared by Feliciano reportedly showed children playing in the foam when a young boy was suddenly found lying unconscious on the ground.
Feliciano said he immediately carried the child and ran towards the rescue team.
“I carried him and ran. But the child was already limp,” he recalled. “He appeared lifeless, since his lips had already turned so violet.”
Feliciano also said he saw a young girl receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) inside a rescue vehicle.
Authorities investigate incident
Authorities are investigating the cause of the electrocution and how the children came into contact with the electrical source.
The local division office of the Department of Education is coordinating with the local government and relevant authorities to provide assistance to the affected families.
According to The Manila Times, the grandmother of one of the victims criticised the event organisers, alleging that their negligence had led to the deaths of the two children.
She reportedly opposed her granddaughter’s participation in the bubble fun run, which cost 350 Philippine pesos (about S$7), saying the money could instead have been used to buy rice.
