Accident – death – Obituary News :

Truck Loaded with Firecrackers Explodes at Marikina Bus Terminal, Two Dead and Five Injured

By Mark Ernest Villeza – The Philippine Star

Date: December 18, 2023 | Time: 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Tragedy struck yesterday morning when a truck carrying firecrackers exploded at a bus terminal in Barangay Calumpang, Marikina. The explosion resulted in the death of two individuals and left five others injured.

The two fatalities have been identified as Ronaldo Villaflor, aged 60, and Johnwel Relatado, aged 38. Both were the owner and driver of the truck, respectively. The explosion claimed their lives, leaving behind a devastating scene.

The injured victims were identified as Jomar Don, aged 80; Reynaldo Ejares, aged 50; Sammy Magno, aged 33; Marvin Divina Gracia, aged 33; and a Bureau of Fire Protection personnel only known as De Guzman, according to the BFP report.

The explosion triggered a fire at the bus terminal, which started at approximately 9:14 a.m. and escalated to first alarm status in just two minutes. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by 9:44 a.m., as per the BFP.

Brig. Gen. Wilson Asueta, the Eastern Police District director, revealed that the explosion was caused by firecrackers concealed within the truck. The remains of the truck were found to contain firecrackers, indicating that they were the source of the explosion.

Asueta also highlighted that the transportation of firecrackers requires specific permits, which were lacking in this case. He emphasized that only authorized individuals are allowed to transport firecrackers, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.

According to eyewitnesses, the truck driver had arrived from Taytay, Rizal, and had made a stopover in Marikina to rest before continuing his journey to Bicol. Unfortunately, this routine stop took a tragic turn.

Miguelito Pua, a fire inspector, described the incident as an isolated case that underscores the importance of exercising caution when handling firecrackers. The initial reports suggest that the force of the explosion affected the driver inside the truck and his companion outside, resulting in their casualties.

One bus driver, Romel Piad Esclada, who miraculously escaped injury, revealed that he had a conversation with the two victims just moments before the explosion occurred. Esclada was resting in a hammock underneath the bus when the blast suddenly shook the surroundings.

The deceased victims were transported to a funeral home in Marikina for autopsy, while the injured individuals were taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

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