Boracay dragon boat sinks; 7 dead

The Dragon Force team whose boat capsized in Boracay Island on Wednesday morning, killing seven of its rowers. (Facebook)

The Philippine Coast Guard have confirmed the drowning of seven individuals after their dragon boat capsized in Boracay Island on Wednesday morning.

The PCG said the Dragon Force team was carrying 21 rowers when the incident happened off the waters of Sitio Lingganay in Barangay Manoc-Manoc.

Radyo Todo Aklan named the fatalities as Johann Tan, John Vince Natividad, Mark Vincent Navarrete, Comar Arcob, Maricel Tan, Richel Montoya and Rose Antonette Supranes.

The rest of the boat’s occupants survived and were taken to Saint Gabriel Medical Center.

“Initial reports indicated the boat sank just 200 to 300 meters from the shore. We assume the rowers are good swimmers so we want to determine the cause,” said PCG spokesperson Captain Armand Balilo.

The Philippine Coast Guard search and rescue operations. (Facebook)

The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation said “massive seawater” deluged the 20-meter boat while training for an international competition.

“While we are aware of the perils that inevitably go with dragon boating as an extreme water sport, the PBDF advocates and gives utmost priority to safety,” a federation statement read. “We encourage the use of personal flotation device during training and requires wearing the same in local regattas to make sure that we avoid incidents that lead to unnecessary loss of life or sustenance of injury.”