Manila - Nine people were killed Friday when a passenger bus plunged into a ravine in a northern Philippine province, police said.

Several more people were hurt in the accident in Pantabangan town in Nueva Ecija province, 130 kilometres north of Manila.

Police officer Dionisio Ulatan said the bus fell into the ravine when its brakes malfunctioned as it was negotiating a sharp curve.

Six of the victims died on the spot, while three others succumbed to injuries while on the way to hospital. (dpa)