- 2 dead as strong winds uproot trees, destroy homes in Catalunan Grande
TWO MEN were killed, and several family members were injured after heavy rains and severe winds uprooted century-old mango trees, crushing homes and a bunkhouse in Sitio San Miguel, Barangay Catalunan Grande, late Thursday night, Oct. 29.
Police identified the first fatality as a 29-year-old security guard residing in Ward 31, Apo Highlands.
According to a spot report from the Talomo Police Station, Central 911 dispatched emergency responders at around 10:45 p.m., personnel from the Talomo station, along with the Barangay Catalunan Grande Search and Urban Rescue Team, arrived at the scene to find that two large centennial mango trees had collapsed onto the victim’s bunkhouse.
The victim was trapped under the debris and succumbed to fatal head injuries at the scene.
His surviving family members, who also sustained injuries, were rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Bajada for emergency treatment.
Follow-up investigations at SPMC revealed a second casualty from adjacent Purok 32.
Authorities identified the second victim as a 38-year-old water refilling delivery worker. His 23-year-old live-in partner told investigators that strong winds and heavy rains struck their area around 8:30 p.m., describing a sudden, powerful gust that tore through their neighborhood.
While the family attempted to evacuate, the victim was trapped inside when huge trees fell directly onto their house, inflicting severe head trauma. He was transported to SPMC via Central 911 Ambulance Medic 06 but was declared dead by attending physicians at 12:09 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30.
As of Friday morning, one victim’s body was transferred to Collado Funeral Homes in Bangkal, Talomo, while the second remains at the SPMC morgue.
Local police and barangay disaster teams are continuing safety inspections in the area.
