19 killed in Zamboanga road accident

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – Nineteen people were killed and 26 injured after the truck they were riding turned over on a rain-soaked road in Zamboanga del Sur, police officials said yesterday.

Police regional director Angelo Sunglao said 13 passengers died on the spot while others died in a hospital near Vicenzo Sagun town in Zamboanga del Sur province. It is not clear whether the driver survived Saturday’s accident.

The dump truck was carrying 56 people who came from a wedding party in a nearby town when it turned over while driving through the road.

“The truck reportedly lost its control and violently spinned, throwing out all the passengers on board,” Sungalo said. It is not clear whether the driver survived Saturday’s accident, he said.

Trucks in the Philippines regularly pick up passengers, who ride in the back. Poor vehicle maintenance and bad roads are blamed for many traffic accidents in the country.        – With AP