MANILA. Eighteen Korean nationals, three visiting Filipinos from abroad, accompanied by 18 hired boatmen, had been stranded since yesterday afternoon on their way to the famed Pagsanjan falls in Laguna, police said.

Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas, Laguna provincial director, said the 39 were stranded in the village of El Pueblo, Cavinti, Laguna while on their way to see the Pagsanjan Falls.

Rojas said the tourists set out for the falls around 3 p.m. yesterday on nine boats.

But the water level of the river leading to the falls started to rise when a heavy downpour hit the area.

"They sought refuge on higher ground and are now safe and sound," Rojas said.

As of this posting, three Koreans and one balikbayan have been rescued.

"So far, wala namang report ng na-injure or nasaktan," Rojas said. [So far, there have been no reports of injuries.]

Joining the rescue effort were elements from an Army unit in the area, members of the Red Cross and the Cavinti police.