Manila  - Nine people were killed when a passenger minibus plunged into a ravine along a remote highway in the southern Philippines, a regional police chief said Wednesday.

Eleven people were also injured in the accident in Hinatuan town in Surigao del Sur province, 915 kilometres south of Manila, Chief Superintendent Jaime Eloreta-Milla said.

Milla said an initial investigation showed the minibus was speeding when it lost the use of its brakes and fell into the ravine.

The fatalities included three children, ages 1 to 4. (dpa)