2 miners die in Benguet tunnel

ITOGON, Benguet, Philippines — Two small-scale miners reportedly died after inhaling poisonous gas at a tunnel in this town on Tuesday.

Initial investigation showed Astrid Guitelen, 22, a resident of Barangay Bangaan, and Jomar Lay-os, 23, of Fidelisan, both in Sagada, Mountain Province, entered the tunnel at around 5 p.m. to fix a blower.

The miners, who failed to surface after four hours, were later found lifeless by their co-workers.

The victims were declared dead on arrival at the Baguio General Hospital.– Raymund Catindig