3 gold hunters die in ‘treasure’ hole in Negros Occidental

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Three brothers in search of treasure reportedly died of suffocation inside a deep hole they dug near their home in Kabankalan City on Saturday, February 6.

Police identified the fatalities as brothers Danilo Nabas, 42; Rolando, 40; and Reynante, 33, residents of Sitio Bugtong, Barangay Tan-awan in Kabankalan City.

Superintendent German Garbosa, city police chief, said the brothers didn’t respond to the calls of their brother-in-law, Joseph Masola, who checked on them around lunch time.

Masola tried to get into the hole, which was 20 feet deep, but halfway through he smelled sulfur and couldn’t breathe. He lifted himself up and called for help.

Responders found the 3 brothers already unconscious. They were rushed to the hospital but did not make it. Masola is still confined at the hospital.

Garbosa said the brothers had been digging the hole since last year, inspired by the dream of Rolando.

Their uncle, Rodrigo Nabas Sr, said Rolando dreamed there was buried treasure near their home, prompting them to dig the hole in search of gold.

Garbosa said Reynante recently asked his father-in-law for a loan to buy a generator, as the hole they were digging was getting filled with water.

The police chief said that an autopsy will be performed on the victims to determine the cause of death. – Rappler.com