A passenger severely injured when a bus plunged into a ravine in the central Philippines has died, taking the death toll from the accident to 17, authorities said on Wednesday (Dec 6).
The bus was carrying dozens of people when its brakes failed in the central province of Antique on Tuesday afternoon, the local governor, Rhodora Cadiao, told a press conference.
Seven people were in critical condition while four were stable and recovering, she said.
Local media had reported earlier than 28 died in the crash.
Cadiao said the bus was travelling to Culasi in Antique from the neighbouring province of Iloilo when its brakes malfunctioned on a winding road and it plunged 30m into the ravine.
“We call that area the killer curve. It was already the second bus that fell off there,” Cadiao told DZRH radio station.
Cadiao visited the hospital where survivors were being treated for their injuries. She promised government assistance for the medical and funeral expenses of victims.
“This is a mountain road, so the bus fell from a high place. That’s why the impact caused many casualties,” provincial disaster agency head Roderick Train told AFP.
“Based on the witnesses, it was a mechanical failure. The driver lost control, possible brake failure,” Train said.
Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippines-bus-falls-antique-ravine-16-killed-least-3968226
