Two people died while 36 others were injured after the passenger bus they were riding fell into a ravine in Barangay Mahayahay, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur morning on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Police said the bus was carrying 38 people, including the 37-year-old driver, conductor, and 36 passengers.

Of the 36 passengers, 29 were students who were on their way to attend the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) graduation rites at a military camp in Pulacan, Labangan.

A school principal who happened to pass by the area said the driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle while the bus was navigating downhill. A student also reportedly said that the bus accelerated suddenly before the brakes malfunctioned.

“Sa ibabaw, sir, naga-aginud na daw to dayun paglugsong, ningkalit ra daw og kusug… base sa estudyante nga nahinabi ganina, ningkalit lang kusug ang dagan palugsong nila ba dayun nawad-an og brake ingon ang driver,” the principal, Jestoni Patias, said.

According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), aside from the brakes that malfunctioned, the driver also reportedly tried to avoid a tricycle ahead by steering toward a mahogany tree.

However, the tree gave way causing the bus to plunge into the ravine.

“Ang dalan lungsungon so nawad-an sila og brake dayon while kusog ang dagan, (pabahada), naa pud sila nasundan nga baja (tricycle) maong gilikayan sa driver. Pagkakita niya sa punuan sa mahogany, pagkabangga sa punuan sa Mahogany, nalukot man pud ang kahoy, nahagbong sila sa pangpang,” MDRRM Officer, Jhunax Cardoza, said.

Residents and responders worked together to rescue the victims.

Two of the passengers were declared dead on arrival at the hospital while 36 others, including the driver and the conductor, sustained injuries.

The passengers injured were also brought to the hospital for treatment.

MDRRMO added that one of the fatalities was a senior citizen while the other was among the 29 students.

The bus driver was taken into police custody as authorities continue their investigation.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the family of the victims, school officials, and the management of the bus company for a statement, as of this writing.