MINDANAO REGION
PAGADIAN, Zamboanga city – At least 50 persons died and 15 others were injured Feb. 2 when a wayward tanker trailer truck carrying carbon dioxide exploded on a highway in Zamboanga del Sur. Chief Supt. Jaime Caringal, Western Mindanao police director, said the truck bound for Zamboanga-Sibugay rolled over after its braked failed in Barangay Maragang, Tigbao. The driver was killed instantly while his helper was trapped inside, police said. Bystanders tried to help the victims but the tanker exploded 20 minutes later, killing some of the bystanders and the passengers of the passing RS Transit bus bound for Zamboanga City.