The number of confirmed fatalities in the bus accident in Hamtic town, Antique province rose to 18, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
PDRRMO’s Michael Tolentino said a female passenger who was previously in critical condition died in a hospital in Iloilo City on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
In a report by radio station RMN-Iloilo, the Haptic police station identified the latest fatality as Arianne Mejia, 20.
Tolentino said six passengers remain in critical condition and four others are stable.
The Ceres bus was carrying a total of 28 people when it careened off the so-called “killer curve” and plunged into a ravine that was around 30 meters (100 feet) deep on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the ill-fated bus, which was bound for Culasi, Antique from Iloilo City, encountered a mechanical failure.
Due to the fatal accident, LTFRB issued a 90-day suspension against Vallacar Transit Inc., the operator of Ceres buses.
The 18 fatalities include the bus driver, conductor, and two line inspectors.IMT
