|
At least nine were killed while nine more were
injured when a six-wheeler truck carrying 125 sacks of corn
overturned in Cotabato City before dawn Thursday, ABS-CBN Regional
News Group reported.
The truck from the town of Upi,
30 kilometers from Cotabato City, also had persons riding on top of
the sacks of corn when the driver lost control of the truck and
overturned as it was approaching the public market of Cotabato City.
Toto Flores, the driver of the
truck, said that the vehicle lost its brakes while it was traveling
along the declining road of Sinsuat Avenue.
He said that he tried to veer the
truck away from a crowded barbeque stand but lost control over the
vehicle as it toppled over bystanders in the area.
Lito Coloso, assistant to Mayor
Muslimin Sema of Cotabato City, in an interview with DZMM on
Thursday said that there were 21 persons riding on top of the sacks
of corn and when the truck overturned, they were crushed by the
sacks of corn and by the weight of the overturned truck.
Coloso added that persons from
the rural barangays going to the city proper usually ride on top of
the sacks of produce that were being delivered to the market in
Cotabato City.
Flores is detained at the
provincial jail and is facing charges of reckless imprudence
resulting in homicide.
Coloso said that initial
investigation shows that the driver was not intoxicated but added
that the owners of the truck might also be held accountable for the
accident.
Reports identified those who were
killed as Baikong Omar, Pendatun Omar, Felisa Omar, Uga Kuba, Ronnie
Rekis, Rosa Ombis and Nel Minted with children aged one and seven.
The last female victim has yet to
be identified.
Most of the victims were
residents of Barangay Bairong, South Upi, Maguindanao.
The city government had
immediately deployed rescue teams to the scene.
“We were able to respond
immediately to the incident because the Cotabato City government is
prepared for these kinds of disaster,” Coloso added.
He said that those who suffered
major injuries were taken to the Cotabato Regional and Medical
Center.
Police are still investigating
the case.
|
