Elf Truck Plunges into Ravine in Mountain Province, Killing 6 Including Infant

BAGUIO CITY — Six people, including an infant, died while 17 other passengers were injured after an Elf truck plunged into a ravine in Bontoc, Mountain Province, on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 15. The truck, carrying 27 passengers, was traveling from Isabela to Bakun town in Benguet via Paracelis town in Mountain Province when it skidded and lost control, plunging into the ravine approximately 100 meters deep. Elf trucks are commonly used in rural areas of the Philippines, especially in mountainous regions, for transporting people and goods. However, they are often overloaded or carry more passengers than their intended capacity, and a combination of factors, including potential overloading, poor road conditions, and driver fatigue, are being considered as contributing causes to this accident. Road accidents due to vehicle defects and driver negligence are a persistent issue in the Philippines. In remote areas, where public transportation options are limited, such trucks often serve as a primary mode of transport for residents. This incident highlights the fragility of transportation infrastructure in rural Philippines and the critical need for enhanced safety measures. The injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.