LA UNION – 5 persons died after the drowning incidents recorded from 26 to 27 December at San Juan and Bauang, the provincial government of La Union said on Thursday, 28 December.

A 12-year-old male and a 9-year-old female were playing along the shoreline on Tuesday when they were swept into the deeper portion of the coastal water due to strong currents. The boy was found dead later that day, while the body of the girl was retrieved on Thursday.

On Wednesday, two teenagers and a 20-year-old drowned and were retrieved in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, San Juan, La Union Mayor Arturo P. Valdriz ordered the closure and suspension of water activities in the area.

Valdriz also ordered that surfing is only permitted in the designated area in front of the Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa.