2 dead as tanker crashes on hillside in Zamboanga del Sur

The crashed tanker carrying caustic soda. (Photos by Lacupayan BLGU)

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — Two still unidentified men were confirmed dead at past midnight on Friday after a tanker carrying caustic soda (or sodium hydroxide) crashed on a hillside along the national highway in Tigbao town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Major Herminigildo Bajao Jr., spokesperson of the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office, said they were still trying to establish the identity of the fatalities although some ID cards and documents found inside the ill-fated truck provide leads on who to contact for confirmation.

Police reported that rural health personnel of Tigbao found one fatality outside the truck, bearing severe wounds and his face barely recognizable, while another was still stuck inside the heavily damaged cab of the truck.

Bearing plate number MAR 8012, the vehicle is registered under Vicente Dela Torre of Purok 3, Dao Tambo, Hinaplanon, Iligan City.

READ: 2 dead, 5 hurt in Zamboanga del Sur road crash

It was negotiating a downhill bend in Lacupayan village, en route to Zamboanga City, when the crash happened around 12:30 a.m., according to police. The truck turned on its left side.

Found at the crash site was an identification card of a certain Jaylord Cuevas Singidas, of Buru-un village, Iligan City.

Authorities had assured residents in Lapucayan village that the tanker would not explode, but asked that they avoid the accident site as caustic soda, an ingredient for making soap, shampoo, detergents, and batteries, could cause severe burns.

In February 2007, a tanker carrying carbon dioxide crashed a few meters from the current accident site, which later exploded and killed around 70 people after a passenger bus stopped and tried to help the crew get out of the truck.

(Photo from the Lacupayan BLGU)