12 dead as van plunges into Philippine ravine

A Philippine governor says at least 12 people died when the van they were riding in plunged into a deep ravine in the country's mountainous north.

Governor Nestor Fongwan of Benguet province said today that the van veered off a mountain road in remote Buguias town yesterday and plummeted into a 90-meter deep ravine, killing 10 people.

Two more died later yesterday and another victim is fighting for his life in a hospital, he said, adding five people were injured.

Fongwan says one of the 19 people in the van managed to jump out before the vehicle fell off a cliff.
 

Reckless driving, neglected vehicles and roads, and poor enforcement of traffic laws have been blamed for the many deadly road accidents in the Philippines.