Storm Ramil kills family of 5; 22,000 evacuated

Five members of a family, including two children, were killed when a burnt buri (palm) tree fell on their home in Pitogo, Quezon at the height of Tropical Storm Ramil early morning yesterday.

- By CHRISTINE BOTON

Rescuers prepare to retrieve a family's remains after a toppled palm tree destroyed their house amid the onslaught of Tropical Storm Ramil in Pitogo, Quezon yesterday.

(PITOGO MUNICIPAL POLICE)

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense reported that around 30,000 people across 147 barangays were affected, with about 22,000 people preemptively evacuated from high-risk areas.

In Western Visayas, at least 7,553 people were evacuated, according to the Philippine Coast Guard-District Western Visayas (PCG-DWV).

According to a report from the Quezon Police Provincial Office, the fatalities were identified as couple Jean Andrea Bueno Pefia and Alvin del Mundo Peja, both 35; their children Nazareth Eussef Bueno Pejfia, 11, and Noeh Isaiah Bueno Pefia, five months old; and Alberto Anoche Bueno, 66, Jean Andrea’s father.

Initial investigation showed that the victims were asleep inside their house made of light materials in Barangay Cawayanin when the buri tree toppled over and crushed the structure at around 5:30 a.m. All five died on the spot from severe injuries, police said.

The house was destroyed as a result of the weight of the tree, first responders said.

Authorities said the couple’s eldest child survived the tragedy and is now under the care of local officials, who have provided immediate assistance.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the five individuals who perished in the town of Pitogo this morning... We have already reached out to the family to provide immediate assistance and support during this time of mourning,” Quezon Gov. Angelina Tan said in a Facebook post.

Residents told investigators that the fallen tree had long been burned at its base, which may have weakened it before it was finally toppled by strong winds brought by Tropical Storm Ramil (Fengshen).