MANILA, Philippines – Two passengers died after a minibus fell into a ravine Tuesday morning in Leyte province.

The fatalities were identified as Anita Meneses, 55 and Jeffrey Milagroso Serito, 28, both residents of Maasin City.

Other passengers sustained light and serious physical injuries. They were brought to the Salvacion Opoz Yniguez Memorial Provincial Hospital for treatment.

The minibus, “Honor”, was on its way to the city proper from Barangay Libertad when it fell into the ravine around 9 a.m. in Barangay Sta. Cruz, an upland village in Maasin City.

Driver Apolonio Paloma said 15 passengers were onboard. The bus was also carrying sacks of copra with an estimated weight of 4 tons.

Paloma said he heard an unusual sound as he was taking a sharp curve on the road in Barangay Sta. Cruz.

The driver said that before the bus fell into the 30-meter ravine, he stepped on the break pedals, but to no avail.

Rescuers from different government and non-government agencies proceeded to area to help the victims.

Paloma voluntarily surrendered and is now under the custody of the police.