(UPDATED) Four people were killed and at least 23 others were injured after a passenger bus plunged into a ravine along the Andaya Highway in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur early Thursday morning, just hours after Christmas.

The Del Gallego Municipal Police Station said initial investigation showed that the bus driver allegedly fell asleep while driving, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and fall into a ravine more than six meters deep, as reported by RH Ruel Saldico.

The bus was traveling from Cubao, Quezon City and was bound for Gubat, Sorsogon when the accident occurred at around midnight on Christmas day.

Authorities confirmed that the fatalities were all passengers of the bus. The injured passengers, along with the driver, were taken to the Bicol Medical Center for treatment, while other victims were brought to a nearby health center in Tagkawayan, Quezon for medical assistance.

Police said an investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the vehicular accident.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, the death toll in the early morning bus accident along Andaya Highway in Del Gallego has risen to four, with 23 passengers reported injured.

Drivers

• Junior Lasheras y Digno, 48 – Unconscious

• Crispo Paballa y Lucela, 50 – Experiencing back pain

Injured Passengers

1. Adeliada Boni Salvanti – Head abrasion

2. Eleanor Salvanti Delos Reyes – Left hand abrasion

3. Gordon Barnido Garbida – Forehead abrasion

4. Yrene Denisse Fulgar Garbida – Head trauma

5. Jasmine Jalmasco – Left hand abrasion

6. John Paul Cabase – Left arm abrasion

7. Lucien Salvador Esmeralda Jr. – Left leg abrasion

8. Kin Eddie Minguez – Abrasions on both arms

9. Dionedes Rotis Salvante – Right hand abrasion

10. Nancy Ayapana Sia – Right arm and tongue abrasion

11. Arnel Abila Dela Rama – Chest and back pain

12. Jessie Jasmela Plan – Lacerated neck wound

13. Claire Escarcha Datur – Left thigh pain
    14–20. Melmar Abugan Adalig, Jason O. Luzon, Noel Jarical, Joseph O. Luzon, Mario Hontiveroz, Mischaelz Acosta, Lenin B. Lubaton – Uninjured

14. Adult Male (Unidentified) – Unconscious

Fatalities

• 22–24. Adult Female (Unidentified) – Dead
• 25. Mike Harold Dig – Status under verification