Death toll in Tanay bus mishap climbs to 15

The death toll in the road accident involving a tourist bus in Tanay, Rizal has climbed to 15 while more than 30 others were injured, a radio dzBB update said Monday.

Tanay PNP Chief Inspector Christopher Dela Peña said the fatalities reached 15 due in part by the speed of the bus.

C/Insp Dela Peña: 15 pa rin ang (patay) sa nangyaring aksidente sa Tanay Rizal.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 20, 2017

Dela Peña noted the tourist bus had 58 passengers, according to its manifest.

C/Insp Dela Peña: Sa kabuuan batay sa manifesto ay 58 ang nakasakay sa (bus) pic.twitter.com/lAhBGifswA

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 20, 2017

Initial investigation said the bus was en-route to a medical and survival training for their National Service Training Program subject when the bus lost its brakes while traversing a curved highway.

The bus later hit an electrical post and nearby tree.

Ten of the passengers were declared dead on the spot.

The bus driver was later identified as one of the fatalities.

Several passengers of the tourist bus said they smelled what seemed like burning rubber before the road mishap happened. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/NB, GMA News