Remains of 7th fatality in Bulacan river tragedy found

(Updated 4:06 p.m.) The remains of a another fatality from the river flash flood that turned a field trip into a tragedy in Bulacan province Tuesday were recovered early Thursday.

With this development, the death toll from the tragedy at the Madlum River rose to seven, GMA News' Vonne Aquino reported on GMA News TV's "News to Go."

A separate report by radio dzBB's Glen Juego cited police reports indicating the seventh fatality is a former member of the EB Babes.

GMA News' Ian Cruz, in a "24 Oras" report, had identified the former EB Babes member as Maiko Bartolome.

A later report on Thursday on "News TV Live" confirmed that Bartolome was the seventh fatality in the Madlum River tragedy.

On Tuesday, a flash flood occurred at the Madlum River in San Miguel town in Bulacan, where more than 100 students from Bulacan State University were having a field trip.

At least six of the fatalities have been identified so far: Helena Marcelo, Michelle Ann Rose Bonzo, Sean Alejo, Mickel Alcantara, Madel Navarro and Janet Rivera.

Local authorities have closed Madlum River to tourists for the moment.

The relatives of Alejo are planning to pursue legal action against BSU.

Meanwhile, a day of mourning was declared at the BSU, whose management suspended field trips for now. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News