Bus falls into ravine in Antique, 28 reported dead

Twenty-five persons were killed on the spot while three others died in the hospital after a bus fell into a ravine in Barangay Igbucagay in Hamtic, Antique on Tuesday.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao said 16 persons were critically injured. She said there were 53 on board the bus in the accident that happened at 4:30 p.m.

"Grabe ang kanilang injuries kasi ravine ito e. Kung hindi ako nagkamali, mga 20 to 30 meters down," Cadiao said.

(Their injuries are serious because of the ravine. If I'm not mistaken, it's a 20 to 30-meter drop.)

"Tatlo ang nagexpire right before my eyes, hindi pa kasama sa 25 na dead on impact," she added. 

The bus came from Iloilo and was en route to San Jose town in Antique.

Cadiao said one of the passengers who was healthy enough to be interviewed told her that the driver checked the bus as if there was something wrong before they got into the "mountain highway." 

It was on the highway that the driver repeatedly honked the bus horn to give a warning that it was out of control.

Cadiao said the bus fell into a portion of the road with no more side barrier.

"Pauwi na mga pasahero nito na almost all Antiqueños. Some are even students and seaman. Sa may Barangay Igbucagay [nangyari]. This is a mountain highway here in Antique na dinadaanan namin ito papunta sa Iloilo," Cadiao said.

(The passengers mostly Antiqueños are on their way home. Some are students and seamen. It happened in Barangay Igbucagay. This is a mountain highway we use going to Iloilo.)

Cadiao said many accidents have happened in the concerned portion of the highway.

"Pangalawang bus na ang nahulog diyan at marami nang sasakyan sa ilalim na 'di pa nare-retrieve," Cadiao said.

(This is the second bus which fell into the ravine and many other vehicles down in the area have yet to be retrieved.)

She said the Department of Public Works and Highways already widened the road and placed a cement barrier "but that is not enough."  —NB, GMA Integrated News