BAGUIO CITY (Updated 11:55 a.m.) -- At least 35 people died when a minibus they were riding on fell off a cliff in Barangay Ambakag, Banangan, Sablan, Benguet Wednesday morning, a police official said.
Benguet police chief Wilben Mayor said about eight other passengers, including a 10-year-old, have been rescued.
The bus was carrying 47 people when it drove off a 100-foot cliff around 9:20 a.m.
The driver survived with a broken leg while the remaining passengers were all injured.
According to a report, fare collector John Patrick Flores said the brakes of the bus malfunctioned while the driver was negotiating a downhill curve.
Flores said the driver aimed for a lamp post to stop the bus from falling but missed and the vehicle jumped over a 30-centimeter road barrier.
The bus came from Baguio City and was headed for San Fernando City, La Union.
In a radio interview, Police Officer Fatima Bucay of the Benguet Provincial Police Office said the minibus is owned by a certain Eso Nice.
Rescue operations were still ongoing Wednesday noon and authorities have yet to identify the fatalities.
Those injured were rushed to the nearest hospital in Baguio City. (AP/Sunnex)