2 miners die of gas poisoning in Itogon

ITOGON, Benguet – Two small-scale miners were killed Monday due to gas poisoning inside a mine here in Mill Site, Gumatdang.

The victims were cousins identified as Robert Binay-an Gorteza, 28, of Parparya, Bagulin, La Union and Anthony Gorteza Salas, 30 of Mill Site, Gumatdang, Itogon.

Police investigation disclosed around 8 a.m. that day, Gorteza went inside the tunnel they owned and operated to get their mining equipment.

He failed to come out for lunch which prompted his cousin Salas to follow but he too, didn’t return.

Suspecting the two were trapped, Peter Gorteza Salas, brother of one of the victims, followed them inside but along the way, he smelled foul odor which he presumed to be gas.

He called for help and they used a blower to supply oxygen inside.

There, they found   the   lifeless   bodies   of   the   victims.

Their relatives agreed need not to request for autopsy.

Their   remains were brought to their   residence at Mill Site.

Official reports said that the two died of gas poisoning as the tunnel "emitted gas fumes due to heavy rains."

 Similar incidents of miners choking inside tunnels have reported even during the summer but authorities seem to have treated these as simply accidents not needing government action.

 Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan said last November after three died in a similar incident that small-scale miners, mostly unaided by breathing apparatuses, to exercise extra care in their work.