Father & 2 Children Drown After Strong River Current Sweeps Them During Family Outing
A family outing ended in tragedy after a father and his two young children drowned while swimming in a river in Davao City.
On Tuesday afternoon, May 26, 2026, the 38-year-old father was bathing at the Talomo River in Barangay Calinan Poblacion, together with his children, aged four and eight, when the water suddenly became strong due to a flash flood.
Investigators said the family was enjoying time in the river when a sudden surge of water rushed through the area and swept them away. Residents and rescuers immediately searched for the victims after the incident was reported.
The youngest child was the first to be found. Authorities discovered the body of the four-year-old floating near the area where the incident happened. The search continued through the night as rescuers worked to locate the father and the older child.
On Wednesday morning, May 27, rescue teams recovered the bodies of the father and the eight-year-old child from a dam canal managed by the National Irrigation Administration. The tragic discovery brought sadness to both the family and the local community.
Police authorities reminded the public to be extra careful when swimming in rivers, especially during unpredictable weather conditions. Flash floods can happen suddenly, even when the water appears calm at first.
The remains of the victims were brought to a funeral home in Calinan, where relatives and loved ones continue to mourn the sudden loss of the father and his two children.
The recent drowning incident reminds the public about the dangers of rivers during the rainy season and the importance of staying alert around bodies of water.
