Girl, 5, killed by jellyfish while playing on beach with family in the Philippines

A girl died from a jellyfish sting while paddling on a beach in the Philippines.

Kiera Maningding, 5, was playing in the shallows with her younger sister when she was stung by the killer sea creature in Subic Bay, Zambales province, on June 28.

Her frantic mum, Jahaziel Maningding, was also stung and rushed Kiera to the Allied Care Experts Medical Center-Baypoint Hospital as the weakened youngster began to have trouble breathing.

However, the potent toxin had already spread throughout the youngster's body, and she soon died of anaphylactic shock while being treated.

Jahaziel and her family said they will be filing charges against the resort, All Hands Beach, for alleged negligence.

The furious mother said: 'All Hands Beach had so many staff members, but none of them had the concern to warn us that there were previous jellyfish sting incidents in the area.

'While I was swimming next to my baby, I heard her suddenly scream. I couldn't forget how she sounded.

'When I lifted her up from the water, I felt pain as the tentacles also touched me. But all I could think about was how my daughter was hurt.'

A staff member and another guest applied first aid by trying to counteract the jellyfish toxin with vinegar.

Kiera, who was weaving in and out of consciousness, had to be rushed to the hospital using another tourist's car, as the resort's emergency vehicle was reportedly unavailable at the time.

Jahaziel continued: 'They were not prepared for these kinds of case, despite it not being the first time this happened. Other resorts have nurses, oxygen tanks, and all they had for jellyfish sting first aid was vinegar.'

She added she was seeking to lodge legal charges as the beach was still operating despite Kiera's death.

Armie Llamas, Deputy Administrator for Corporate Communications at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) which has jurisdiction over the beach, said: 'On the part of SBMA, during one of the recent board meetings, the case was discussed.

'The ecology and tourism departments were ordered by the board members to closely coordinate with all beaches, not just the All Hands Beach, to fix their safety standards. We don't want similar incidents to happen again.'

The legal counsel of All Hands Beach said there were lifeguards present during the incident, and first aid was given to the girl.

The resort owners have also promised to give financial aid to the bereaved family.

They said in a statement: 'The recent tragic incident at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone has brought to light the inherent risks of natural marine environments.

'By entering the natural environment of marine animals, some encounters with these wonderful creatures may happen, and may require assistance.'