A passenger bus plunged off a cliff in the central Philippines on Tuesday, killing at least 17 people and injuring several others, officials said.
The bus was traveling from Iloilo to Antique when it lost its brakes on a winding road and plunged 30 meters (98 feet) into a ravine, according to Rhodora Cadiao, the governor of Antique province.
The accident occurred in the town of Hamtic, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the provincial capital, San Jose de Buenavista.
At least 17 people were confirmed dead, while seven others were in critical condition, Cadiao said. Four other passengers were stable and recovering.
The driver and conductor of the bus were among the fatalities, according to Vallacar Transit Inc., the bus operator.
Local media had earlier reported that 28 people had died in the crash, but this was later revised down by authorities.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but Cadiao said that the bus may have lost its brakes on the winding road.
The road is known as the "killer curve" because of its sharp turns and steep inclines.
Rescue teams were rushed to the scene of the accident and helped to evacuate the injured passengers.
The provincial government of Antique has also pledged to shoulder the hospital expenses of the injured passengers.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the crash.
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic bus accident in Antique that has claimed the lives of 17 people," Marcos said in a statement.
"I offer my sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."
The Philippine Department of Transportation has also ordered an investigation into the accident.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident," Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a statement.
"We have ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the accident and will take all necessary steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future."
The accident has renewed calls for better road safety in the Philippines.
Road accidents are a major cause of death and injury in the Philippines, with an average of 20 people killed every day.
Many of these accidents are caused by speeding, reckless driving, and poor road conditions.
The government has pledged to improve road safety in the Philippines, but there is still much work to be done.
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