2 die, 15 hurt as bus falls into ravine

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A driver and a passenger died while 15 others were injured when their bus fell into a ravine in Tigbao town, Zamboanga del Sur Wednesday night.

Bus driver Macario Omac of Pagadian City and his passenger Baharan Salud of Basilan died at the scene, said Senior Superintendent Sofronio Ecaldre, director of the Zamboanga del Sur police.

The 15 injured victims including the bus conductor, whose names were not immediately available, were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Ecaldre said the Rural Transit bus (JBH 435), which came from this city, was heading to Pagadian when it figured in an accident in Barangay Maragang  at around 11:30 p.m.

Investigation showed the bus was allegedly running at top speed and ripped through a row of houses before it fell into the cliff.

No one was reported hurt from among the occupants of the houses.