Asia-Pacific

Truck, van collide in Philippines; 5 dead

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-19 21:19

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Five people were killed and at least 10 others injured when a dump truck collided with a van in southern Philippines on Saturday, police said.

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The victims were on board a chartered van from a wedding celebration and were heading home shortly before noon Saturday when a truck lost control and collided with the van along a highway in the southern city of General Santos, said local police spokesman Chief Inspector Alexis Yap.

Yap said the truck driver, Noel Donaire, lost control after the break malfunctioned.

The victims were rushed to a nearest hospital but five of them died, Yap said, adding more than ten other passengers of the van were injured.

"The van was totally wrecked due strong head-on impact. Authorities are investigating the incident," said Yap.

The dump truck driver is now under the custody of General Santos City Police Station 2.