ILOILO — What was meant to be a fun beach outing turned tragic for 57 residents of Barangay Ba-ong, Alimodian after the private jeepney they were riding crashed on a curved downhill road in Barangay Dingle, Miagao on Black Saturday, 19 April.

The group was on their way to Tobog Beach Resort in San Joaquin when their vehicle, a Mitsubishi jeep-type unit driven by 36-year-old Robert Alemania, lost control around 8:30 a.m. while navigating a steep slope heading toward Barangay Maninila.

Major Richard Lao, chief of the Miagao Municipal Police Station, said that nine passengers sustained minor injuries and were treated as outpatients at the San Joaquin Mother and Child Hospital. The rest of the passengers are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across Iloilo province.

Emergency responders, along with barangay officials, quickly arrived at the scene to assist and bring the victims to safety.

As families flock to coastal destinations over the long weekend, authorities are once again urging the public to follow road safety precautions, especially when traveling on hilly or unfamiliar routes.