Fatal plunge: Bus accident kills two, injures dozens in Zamboanga del Sur

• A Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) bus crashed into a ravine in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, on July 10, 2025, resulting in two passenger fatalities and numerous injuries

• Initial reports suggest that a tire blowout on the bus's left side led to the driver losing control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road

• Among the over 38 passengers, 29 were students on the verge of graduating as Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) officers, adding a somber note to the incident

• Local authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the accident, including examining the bus's roadworthiness and the exact circumstances of the crash, to ensure accountability

A devastating bus accident tragically claimed the lives of two passengers and left dozens injured on Thursday morning, July 10, 2025, after a Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI) bus veered off the road and plunged into a ravine in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.

The incident, which occurred in Purok 4, Barangay Mahayahay, has prompted an immediate investigation into its cause.

According to Dumingag Municipal Information Officer Jufil Mabanag, the ill-fated bus was en route from Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, to Pagadian City when its journey was abruptly cut short.

Initial reports indicate that a tire blowout on the vehicle's left side allegedly caused the driver to lose control.

This sudden mechanical failure, in a province characterized by winding and often challenging roads, sent the large passenger bus careening off the thoroughfare and down a steep embankment.

Tragically, two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Their identities have not yet been released as authorities are in the process of notifying their next of kin.

The bus was carrying over 38 passengers at the time of the crash, including a significant number of students.

Mabanag confirmed that 29 of the passengers were students who were on the cusp of graduating as Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) officers, a poignant detail that adds to the community's grief over the incident.

The driver of the bus reportedly survived the harrowing plunge, sustaining only scratches. He was promptly transported to the Rural Health Unit of Dumingag for immediate medical attention and assessment.

Authorities will likely conduct a thorough investigation into his condition, as well as the bus's overall roadworthiness and maintenance history.

Bus accidents remain a persistent concern on Philippine roads, often attributed to factors such as mechanical failures, driver error, and challenging road conditions.

Tire blowouts, in particular, are a recurring cause of such incidents, highlighting the critical importance of regular vehicle inspection and maintenance for public transport operators.

RTMI, as one of the largest bus companies operating extensively across Mindanao, plays a vital role in connecting various provinces, and safety incidents involving their fleet are closely scrutinized by regulatory bodies like the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Local police and rescue units immediately responded to the scene, facilitating the extraction of the injured and the recovery of the fatalities.

The investigation will involve a detailed forensic examination of the bus, an assessment of the road conditions at the point of impact, and interviews with surviving passengers and the driver to reconstruct the events leading up to the tragic crash.

The community of Dumingag and the wider region are now grappling with the aftermath of this devastating incident, awaiting further details and the results of the ongoing inquiry.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, a 3-year-old boy was rescued after being locked in a room by his father in Barangay Maybunga, Pasig City. The suspect’s mother called police after they failed to respond for hours; authorities entered with her consent. Police found two sachets of suspected shabu inside the room, raising suspicions of drug use. A responding officer was injured after being pushed by the suspect and falling from the second floor.

Still in other news, one man was killed and two companions were wounded in a shooting ambush by "riding-in-tandem" suspects in Barangay Pio Del Pilar, Makati City, on Thursday, July 10. Makati City Police are actively investigating the incident, focusing on identifying the perpetrators and determining the motive behind the attack. Authorities plan to utilize CCTV footage and interview the wounded companions to gather crucial evidence for the apprehension of the assailants. The shooting has raised concerns among local residents regarding public safety, with police assuring a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Source: KAMI.com.gh