THREE senior scouts on Thursday died while 10 others were hospitalized after being electrocuted during a jamboree of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) in a campsite in Mount Abong-Abong, Bgy. Pasonanca, Zamboanga City .
The fatalities were aged 22, 18, and 17 from barangays Sta. Catalina, Pasonanca, and Tetuan, respectively.
Dr. Shadrina Sarapuddin, spokesperson for the Zamboanga City Medical Center said the three were declared dead on arrival.
The injured 10 other victims, including children aged 9, 11, and 12, are now in stable condition and under observation.
BSP-Zamboanga City Council chairperson and lawyer Jose Rizalino Ortega said the incident occurred when the tip of a canopy being moved accidentally came into contact with a live electrical wire.
The electrocution occurred before the opening of the 2024 citywide BSP Jamboree, which included activities such as the Kid and Cub Scouts Palaro.
“The canopy was intended to provide shade for the children in the area where they would participate in their Palaro,” Ortega said.
Ortega said the BSP-Zamboanga City Council will take full responsibility for the incident.
The jamboree was originally scheduled to run until December 15 but was immediately cancelled following the tragic incident.
OUTDOOR SCOUTING SUSPENDED
The BSP has ordered a moratorium on all outdoor scouting activities nationwide following the tragic deaths of the three boy scouts in Zamboanga City.
“We mourn the loss of our three young scouts from Zamboanga City Council. This tragic event has brought immense grief to the scouting community, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones during this very difficult time,” the BSP said.
The BSP reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and well-being of all scouts, emphasizing its adherence to strict protocols for planning and executing scouting activities, including jamborees.
“We are also looking closely at the details of the incident to revisit and strengthen our existing policies and procedures on the conduct of scouting activities,” the BSP said.
Authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident.
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