The collapsed bridge in Sito Talisayan, Bgy. Sampaloc, Dasmariñas City on July 26, 2022. Photo courtesy of Dasmariñas City Government
7 bodies recovered from Dasmariñas bridge collapse
DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite – Seven youths who were reported missing died in the retrieval operation after a steel bridge collapsed when the last victim’s body was recovered Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Sito Talisayan in Barangay Sampaloc IV here.
The seven victims were identified by their respective relatives as Jasper Uy, 15; Angeline Villanueva, 17; Wally Reneda, 17; John Lester Wee and Sumayod, both 15; Haslen Vinas, 15; Jericho Batin Nepomuceno, 13; and Cyrus Lagrimas, 15; all residents of Sitio Talisayan, Bgy. Sampaloc IV, Dasmariñas City.
Initial search and rescue operations recovered the first fatality, identified as John Michael Beltran, 17, who was rushed to the Dasmariñas City Hospital while five victims are currently being treated at the said hospital.
According to P/Lt. Col. John Oruga Jr., Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Dasmariñas City Police, in a retrieval operation conducted at 5:52 p.m., Wednesday, four bodies were recovered, and later in the night, two more bodies were found.
The body of the last missing minor was found Thursday (July 28) afternoon.
Ariel San Gabriel, the city administrator of Dasmariñas City, said they will cover the funeral costs and provide financial assistance to the victims’ families.
San Gabriel explained that collapsed bridge was made of steel and has been closed to the public for a long time due to the “compromised” structural integrity of the old bridge.
Despite the warning signs, it is still ignored, especially by young people who like to hang out in the area.
The old bridge collapsed around 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 26, 2022, where 13 youths were allegedly hanging out and recording “Tiktok” videos in the area fell into the river.
