Eight teachers stranded on a swollen river were rescued yesterday in the Philippines.

The group were onboard a carabao as they tried to cross Malumboy River from the mountains when the water suddenly rose and swept them away in Zambales province on July 16.

Locals who saw them pleading for help quickly called the rescue team and pulled them to safety with ropes and rubber rings.

Footage shows the teachers sitting steady on a cart attached to the back of a carabao as rescuers helped to drive it away from the raging current.

A statement from the Botolan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said: ‘The rescue operation on stranded teachers was done at the Lahar area. It was successful, and they were all assisted back to their homes.'

The agency added the teachers from local elementary schools on their way home from teaching kids in the mountains.

It said: ‘We continue to remind everyone to keep safe always, especially during the rainy season.'

The Philippines and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are approaching their annual monsoon rainy season, which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.