5 dead, 5 injured after dump truck plunges into ravine in Davao Oriental

DAVAO CITY (May 28)-Five workers were killed and five others injured after a dump truck they were riding lost its brakes and plunged into a deep ravine in Purok Panlaisan, Barangay Pichon, at around 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

According to Precy Mae Pawin Lagirong, a resident who witnessed the aftermath, all the victims were road construction workers assigned to a project in the area. The truck was reportedly descending a steep portion of the road when its brakes failed, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

The truck veered off the roadside and fell into a deep precipice, trapping the passengers beneath twisted metal and debris.

Despite the lack of immediate emergency response, residents rushed to the site to help extricate the victims and administer first aid to the survivors. “We heard screams and saw the truck disappear down the slope. People from nearby homes came running to help,” Lagirong said.

The injured workers were rushed to a nearby medical facility, while authorities are now investigating the incident and coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the contractor of the road project.

The names of the victims have yet to be released, pending notification of their families.

This tragic accident underscores the urgent need for stricter safety protocols on construction sites and the transportation of workers in high-risk areas, such as those in upland Davao Oriental.