ILOILO CITY —  A tragic incident unfolded at the Iloilo River when a five-year-old boy drowned after reportedly suffering an epileptic seizure while swimming with his cousins. Authorities confirmed that the child was playing near the roll-on, roll-off wharf in Barangay Lapuz Norte when the accident occurred.

According to police reports, the boy had joined two cousins for a swim when he suddenly experienced a seizure in the water. A cousin attempted to rescue him, but he sank quickly before help could arrive. 

“Nagkayayaan sila ng dalawa niyang mga pinsan na maligo doon sa roro wharf, doon sa rampa ng roro sa daungan. Lumakas ang alon at natangay siya,” explained Captain Tonigrace Troncoso, chief of Iloilo City Police Station 8.

Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard responded immediately to the scene and retrieved the boy’s body. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Witnesses said the incident happened in the late afternoon, when the children were playing near the wharf.

The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for vigilance when children are swimming, especially those with medical conditions such as epilepsy. Authorities reminded parents and guardians to closely supervise minors near bodies of water and to avoid risky areas like wharves and rivers where currents can be unpredictable.

As the community mourns the loss, the incident serves as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by swimming without proper safety measures. Local officials are expected to review safety protocols in the area to prevent similar accidents in the future.