CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija (Eagle News) — A passenger bus fell into a deep ravine killing at least 24 passengers, and injuring several others on Tuesday (April 18) in Barangay Capintalan in this town.
The Leomarick bus came from Isabela and was bound for Candon, Ilocos Sur when it fell into the ravine. Fifteen people were dead on the spot.
The bus reportedly lost its breaks, according to witnesses. Initial information claimed the driver and the conductor were allegedly among those dead, but officials said they are yet to confirm this.
Witnesses also saw people jumping off the bus while it was falling into the deep ravine.
The bus was reportedly overloaded and had about 70 passengers.
Local officials immediately responded and recovered the victims from the ravine. The injured were brought to the Nueva Vizcaya general hospital and the Veterans Regional Hospital also in Nueva Vizcaya.
Police and local officials are still determining the number of those injured.
Capintalan is the northernmost barangay of the northernmost town of Nueva Ecija.
(Jolly Octavio, Eagle News Service correspondent)