At least 24 people were killed and 22 injured when a passenger bus crashed into a deep ravine in the mountainous northern Philippines on Tuesday (April 18), authorities said.

The bus plunged about 80 feet in the upland province of Nueva Ecija before noon after its brakes failed while travelling on a windy road, police and local officials said, reports abcnews.com.

“The vehicle is totally wrecked,” said senior inspector Robert De Guzman, police chief of the town of Carranglan where the accident occurred. The impact appeared to have ripped the top off the vehicle, he added.

“Almost all of the passengers, both dead and injured, were found outside the bus.”

Authorities were still investigating the cause of the accident but Carranglan Mayor Mary Abad told ABS-CBN television there were 60 passengers onboard although the bus had a capacity of only 45.

Road accidents are common in the Philippines, where old, badly maintained buses ply poorly lit roads. Poor road habits and drivers working long hours also contribute to frequent mishaps.

BDST: 1558 HRS, APR 18, 2017
AP