Tragedy struck on Saturday morning when a passenger van plunged off a cliff in Sadanga, Mountain Province, resulting in five confirmed fatalities and nine others sustaining injuries.
According to initial reports from local authorities, the van was traversing a winding road in the mountainous area when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle.
The van veered off the roadside and fell into a ravine, leading to the fatal incident.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and conducted rescue operations.
The injured passengers were immediately brought to nearby hospitals for treatment, while the identities of the deceased are being verified and withheld pending notification of their families.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the accident. Authorities are also examining whether road conditions or mechanical failure played a role.
The local government expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured the public that safety measures will be reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.