Three people have been confirmed dead while search and retrieval operations continue for other missing victims after an Elf truck fell into the Chico River in Barangay Tocucan, Bontoc in Mountain Province, on Monday, October 27.

The fatalities were immediately declared dead by ​the attending Physician, Municipal Health Officer Dr. Diga Kay Gomez.

According to the Bontoc Operations Center, the incident occurred around 6:00 a.m., when the truck first collided with two parked vehicles before plunging into the river.

Initial investigation revealed that the truck was carrying five workers from Balintaugan Construction who were headed to a construction site in Kuro-Kuro, Sadanga, Mountain Province, when the accident happened.

The Bontoc MDRRMO continues its search and retrieval efforts to locate the remaining missing passengers.