BARIRA, Maguindanao del Norte — A man was killed after being struck by a falling coconut tree in Barangay Marang on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The incident occurred at around 11:40 a.m. in Sitio Kamis, where the victim was reportedly in the area when the coconut tree suddenly collapsed and fell directly onto him.
The victim was identified as Kao Bathuan, an adult resident of Barangay Panggao.
Due to the strong impact, Bathuan sustained severe injuries that led to his immediate death. Responding residents attempted to rescue him, but he was declared dead at the scene.
Initial reports indicate that it is still unclear what the victim was doing at the time of the incident. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the tree’s collapse, including the possibility of structural weakness or environmental factors.
Local officials reminded residents to exercise caution when staying near large or aging trees to prevent similar incidents.