Eighty-seven passengers were injured in a collision between two Victory Liner buses on Marcos Highway in Barangay Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet, on Saturday night, May 30.
The accident occurred at around 8:35 p.m., triggering a large-scale emergency response from local government units, rescue teams, and medical personnel.
Initial reports said that one of the buses turned onto its side after it was hit. The other sustained significant damage. Two private vehicles were also reportedly involved in the incident.
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said injured passengers were transported to various hospitals for treatment -- 71 to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center and 15 to the La Union Medical Center in Agoo, La Union.
Chief Resident Physician Dr. Niño Pimentel Emocling of the Department of Surgery at Baguio General Hospital confirmed that 71 patients were admitted to the hospital.
The PRC deployed two ambulances to assist in response operations and transported patients to Baguio General Hospital.
Welfare teams were sent to hospitals to assist affected passengers and their families, verify patient information, and coordinate immediate needs.
Emergency responders from the Tuba Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), La Trinidad, Benguet MDRRMO, Pugo (La Union) MDRRMO, Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Tuba Municipal Police Station, Baguio City Emergency Medical Service, Philippine Red Cross, barangay volunteers, and other rescue groups conducted rescue operations.
Tuba Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council responder Clifford Lardizabal said they had not received any report of fatalities among the injured passengers as of late Saturday evening.
Rescue teams continue passenger assessment and coordination with hospitals to account for all individuals involved in the crash.
Police and local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.