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Bus crash in Philippines kills 39

By Mila Sanina, CNN
Rescuers remove bodies from the wreckage of a bus that plunged into a deep ravine in the Philippines on August 18, 2010.
Rescuers remove bodies from the wreckage of a bus that plunged into a deep ravine in the Philippines on August 18, 2010.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: The bus was carrying 47 people
  • Official: Faulty brakes may have been to blame
  • Another bus crashed near the site some years ago
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(CNN) -- A minibus plunged into a 100-meter deep ravine in the Philippines' Benguet province Wednesday morning, killing 39 people, a fire official told CNN.

The passenger bus with 47 people on board was headed to San Fernando City in La Union when it crashed, said Fire Officer Joseph Cortes.

An initial investigation showed faulty brakes might have triggered the accident, Cortes said.

The crash was near where another minibus fell years ago. In that crash, more than 20 people were killed, the Philippines News Agency said.