Three people died due to suffocation while allegedly searching for gold down a hole they have dug in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental on Monday, July 1, 2024.

The fatalities included two men, 48 and 38 years old, and the 15-year-old son of one of the victims. Their companion, a minor, survived and is recuperating in the hospital.

Investigation showed that the water pump engine the victims used may have exploded and the smoke it emitted suffocated the victims.

The rescue operation was reportedly challenging because the hole is 25 feet deep and is narrow.

Later, the bodies of the victims were retrieved.

One of the first responders said they heard an explosion from down the hole and the victims were shouting for help as they could hardly breathe.

“Gabirahon nako sila pero dili nako makaya tungod sa ilang kabug-at… dagko baya kayo sila mao to akong gibira ang bata, hag-ap raman mao to ako dayun nahiktan unya katung ig-agaw nako nga kauban pag-rescue, nisaka siya kay naglugos naman siyag ginhawa… abi nako nakasaka na siya sa ibabaw; nabalik siyag kahulog kay nakuyapan naman siya,” JR Mingot, one of the first responders, said.

Mayor Alexis Quina said the victims may have been mining for gold and died because of carbon monoxide poisoning.

“So ang compressor ana suyop tingali sa tubig habwa labay sa sige nila og paandara sa makina tan-aw ko gamay ra ang space nga ilang nakubkob para makalihok sila unya mag sige baya na og emit og gas so muna carbon monoxide poisoning ang hinungdan,” Quina said.

Quina also said the mining operation conducted by the victims was illegal and barangay officials who might have known and tolerated the activity may be held accountable.

“Kinsa ba gyud ang nagsugo ani nila? Kinsa ba ang nag-finance? Duda ko naay financer ani unya wala man gyud ni mga permiso illegal man gyud ni ako sab gipasubay kung nahibalo ba ang mga brgy officials ani kay kung kahibalo ug wala lang nila sagdaha o gipa-undang tan-awon nato unsa ang ilang tulubagon,” Quina added.

A cousin of one of the victims said they do not know about the mining activities in the area. He said his family had to accept what happened.

“Sakit man sa among buot sir nga among pamilya nawad-an gyud mi amo na lang gyud dawaton lisod man sab kay dili man kita ang nagdawat sa atong kinabuhi,” he said.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office has ordered to facilitate possible assistance for the victims.