Manila, 6 December 2023 (dpa/MIA) – A passenger bus lost its brakes and fell into a ravine while navigating a 'killer curve' in the central Philippines, killing at least 17 people, local officials and police said Wednesday.

The death toll was lower than the 28 initially reported by the governor of Antique province, 450 kilometres south of Manila, where the accident happened on Tuesday afternoon.

Seven victims were in critical condition in hospitals, while four were stable, said Broderick Train, head of the provincial disaster agency.

Emergency workers took about 10 hours to rescue the wounded and retrieve all bodies from the accident site in Hamtic town, which was a ravine estimated to be about 20 to 25 metres deep, Train said.

"According to bystanders, the bus was travelling fast and appeared to have lost its brakes before it crashed into a concrete barrier and fell into the ravine," said Rafael Magbanua, head of the municipal disaster agency.

Provincial Governor Rhodora Cadiao appealed to the Department of Public Works and Highway to look for a permanent solution to the accident-prone area.

"We call that area the killer curve," she told a press conference. "Our appeal is for a final solution to the problem. Condemn that portion of the road, make another road so we avoid that S area."

Vallacar Transit Inc, owner of the ill-fated bus, vowed to cooperate with the investigation, and voluntarily suspended the operations of 12 remaining buses.

"The management guarantees the riding public that we are taking all the appropriate steps to ensure that our buses are road-worthy and well-maintained," the company said in a statement.

Photo: EPA