GRENADE BLAST. A police investigator searches for pieces of shrapnel from a fragmentation grenade that accidentally went off in Matalam, North Cotabato, on Thursday evening (Dec. 30, 2022). The blast killed a plantation worker and wounded three of his colleagues. (Photo courtesy of Matalam MPS)
MATALAM, North Cotabato – A plantation worker was killed while three of his companions were critically injured in an accidental grenade explosion at a remote village here, police said Friday.
Major Arniel Melocotones, town police chief, identified the fatality in the Thursday evening blast as Oto Biangan Lamalan, 20, who sustained shrapnel injuries in his body and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Injured were Angara Mangadta, Esmael Landing and Kentol Macaalay, all residents of Barangay Kidama.
“We are determining how they (victims) got hold of the fragmentation grenade,” Melocotones said.
Initial investigation bared that the victims are workers at sugarcane plantation in Kidama village.
Melocotones said Lamalan was toying with the explosive when its safety pin was accidentally removed and went off seconds later. (PNA)
