Seven government workers died while at least 17 others were injured when a government owned dump truck toppled over in Negros Occidental on Friday.

Initial reports from the Silay City Police showed that the mini dump truck, carrying 24 passengers, was on the way home from a tree planting activity in Sitio Lantawan, Barangay Patag, when the driver lost control of the truck due to alleged brake failure and overturned in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City.

In a phone interview with the Daily Manila Shimbun, Silay City Police Chief, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca, said five died at the site of the accident.

Two victims were brought to the Corazon Locsin Regional Hospital in Bacolod, but they were declared dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, the 17 injured were brought to three different hospitals in Bacolod.

Six individuals were discharged on Friday evening, while eight are still in the hospital.

Three individuals, who sustained serious injuries, are still in critical condition and remain unconscious.

The Silay City Government, through City Mayor Joedith Gallego, expressed its sympathies to the families of the victims and promised to conduct a 'thorough and impartial investigation'

"I wish to assure the public that a thorough and impartial investigation will be undertaken to ascertain the root cause of this tragic event, with the end in view of ensuring accountability and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future," Mayor Gallego said in a social media post. Velle White and Kate Christian Ravelo/DMS