Tagum City, Philippines - Fifteen people were killed on Friday when a cargo truck they were riding in fell on its side in a southern Philippine province, a local social welfare official said.

Fourteen people were also injured in the accident in Monkayo town in Compostela Valley province, 930 kilometres south of Manila, according to provincial social welfare officer Josephine Frasco.

Frasco said the ill-fated truck, which was carrying vendors from the gold mine area in nearby Mount Diwalwal, fell on its side while traveling downhill in the village of Upper Ulip.

"Five people died on the spot while the rest of the fatalities died while being treated in the hospital," she said.

Frasco said most of the fatalities were pinned down by the cargo truck. Police investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the accident. (dpa)