MANILA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- At least 26 people were killed and more than 20 others injured after a passenger bus plunged into a deep ravine in northern Philippines on Tuesday, police and local media reports said.
Police said the bus, carrying more than 40 passengers, crashed around 11 a.m. local time in Capintalan village in Carranglan town in Nueva Ecjia province.
The bus was reportedly traveling from Isabela province to Ilocos Sur province when it fell into a 90-feet deep ravine, the police said.
Quoting witnesses, police said the bus was overspeeding when the crash happened.
Some passengers were rescued alive from the crash site and sent to nearby hospitals in Bambang town in Nueva Vizcaya but some reportedly died while being treated.
The crash site is an accident-prone area. Last year, at least five people were killed and scores hurt when a bus fell into a ravine in that part of the main highway.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said rescue operations and investigation are currently underway and "We guarantee that the culprits behind the fatal bus mishap will be held accountable."
