By Aaron Recuenco
At least 20 people died while 14 others were injured when a truck loaded with a number of passengers plunged into a deep ravine in T'boli town, South Cotabato, on Tuesday.
Rolly Doane Cuenca Aquino, head of South Cotabato PDRRMO-Operations and Warning, said passengers were on their way home to T'boli, South Cotabato from an excursion at a beach resort in General Santos City (112 kilometers away). (Rolly Doane Cuenca Aquino / MANILA BULLETIN)
A report from the Central Mindanao regional police stated that 15 of the fatalities died on the spot due to serious injuries they suffered.
“Others were injured and were brought to the hospital for medical treatment,” the report read.
The road mishap occurred at around 10:30 a.m. in Barangay Lamsalome in T'boli town.
The report said that the truck with license plate number WNN 207 was passing by the area when it fell at the mountainous cliff of the barangay.
It is not immediately clear why the truck was loaded with a number of passengers.
But trucks, especially owned by local governments, are usually being used as passenger vehicles in some far-flung areas due to transportation problems.
In some cases, trucks are used to transport local residents attending big events like sports competition, wake and funeral, wedding, and others.