19 die in road accident in Quezon

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - At least 19 people were killed and about 40 injured in a chain vehicle accident in Quezon early today,  local media reported.

According to GMA news website, the crash happened at about 1:00 a.m. when a bus heading for Northern Philippine region of Bicol went out of control on the Diversion Road in Atimonan, a town 173 km southeast of Manila. Amid heavy rain and negotiating a zigzag portion of the road, the bus hit three trucks, two buses and a trailer truck.

Quoting an initial report from Quezon provincial police, the website said that most of the victims died on the spot, while several others died after they were sent to the nearby hospitals. At present, about 40 injured  were in hospital.

Local police said that most of the casualties were aboard the bus with 49 passengers aboard, while some of the fatalities were aboard the 10-wheeler truck. They were still questioning the drivers of the vehicles involved, the police said.