Truck falls off cliff; 6 dead

BONTOC, Mountain Province, Philippines — Six people died while 15 others were injured when a truck plunged into a 50-meter-deep ravine in this town yesterday afternoon.

Authorities said the figures are expected to increase as the search and rescue operation was conducted yesterday.

Police have yet to identify the fatalities and the injured victims who were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Lt. Col. Genevieve Revocal, spokesperson for the Cordillera police, said two of the injured were immediately discharged after receiving treatment.

Reports said the truck, which was carrying 23 people, was traveling along the Talubin-Barlig road in Sitio Jakap, Barangay Talubin when it figured in the accident at around 12:40 p.m.

Rescue teams from the local government of Bontoc and nearby municipalities responded to the accident.

Police said the rugged terrain and lack of communication signals hampered the search and rescue operation.

As of yesterday afternoon, authorities were still waiting for updates from the rescue teams who were looking for the remaining passengers.

Probers have yet to determine the cause of the accident.