6 teens dead, 2 others hurt as van plunges into ravine in Mountain Province

Rescuers carry the bodies of the victims in an ill-fated car in Besao town, Mountain Province on Thursday, April 21. (Besao MDRRMO)

BAGUIO CITY — Six teenagers died while two others were injured after the van carrying them fell into a 250-foot ravine in Besao town, Mountain Province at dawn on Thursday (April 21), police said.

According to the investigators, the accident was only discovered on Thursday afternoon.

The fatalities were identified as Dalog Kawi Mangallay, 19, the driver; Lip-aw Aligan, 15; Rhema Sumingwa, 18; Merly Docyogen,17; Hazel Solang,19; and Ken Lendel Kieth Alfonso,19.

Injured were Lander Maticyeng, 17, and Novelyn Sagantiyoc, 18. Both were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The victims were mostly high school students from Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur.

According to Engr. Mildred Piluden, Besao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer, the victims came from a gathering at Barangay Laylaya in Besao and were headed for the town proper when the accident happened. INQ