29 killed as bus plunges into ravine

MANILA — At least 26 people were killed and dozens were injured when a passenger bus crashed into a deep ravine in the mountainous northern Luzon on Tuesday, authorities said.

The bus plunged about 24 meters (80 feet) in the upland province of Nueva Ecija before noon after its brakes failed while traveling on a windy road, police and local officials said.

"The vehicle is totally wrecked," said senior inspector Robert De Guzman, police chief of the town of Carranglan where the accident occurred. The impact appeared to have ripped the top off the vehicle, he added.

"Almost all of the passengers, both dead and injured, were found outside the bus."

Authorities were still investigating the cause of the accident but Carranglan Mayor Mary Abad told ABSCBN television there were 60 passengers onboard although the bus had a capacity of only 45.

Abad added the wounded, some of whom sustained critical injuries, were rushed to nearby hospitals.

"The road is really risky. There are many ravines along that road going to Abra," Abad said, referring to the northern province where the bus was headed.

Dr. Arlene Jara, chief of the nearby provincial hospital treating the wounded, said children were among those injured.

Road accidents are common in the Philippines, where old, badly maintained buses ply poorly lit roads. Poor road habits and drivers working long hours also contribute to frequent mishaps.

Mayor Mary Abad confirmed in a radio interview the number of fatalities, which includes children and the bus driver.

Abad said the 16 survivors were rushed to a hospital in Bambang town in neighboring Nueva Vizcaya.

Initial investigation revealed that the minibus was traversing a zigzag road in Barangay Capintalan when the accident happened around 11 a.m.

The minibus, which was heading to Abra province, reportedly lost its brakes and fell down the ravine.

“Hindi ito ang unang insidente na nagkaroon ng aksidente sa amin, kurbada kasi yung daan,” the mayor told radio dzBB.

“Ito ang pinakagrabe. Talagang risky ‘yung highway dahil may mga lugar na kurbada, pero may mga signs naman,” she added.

As of this post, retrieval operations are still ongoing.

Traffic in the area has also been affected as the national road has been temporarily closed to the public.