ZAMBOANGA CITY—Nineteen passengers were wounded after a head-on collision between a public utility van (PUV) and a cargo truck along the highway of Barangay Manicahan here Thursday night.

PO3 Johan Samsawi said the cargo truck tried to overtake another vehicle, but the driver failed to notice the incoming PUV.

Samsawi said there was thick smoke coming from the vehicle the cargo truck had tried to overtake, limiting the driver's view.

Most of the injured passengers were rushed to the Zamboanga City Medical Center for treatment.

Among the passengers brought to the hospital was a pregnant woman who was spared from injuries.

Another passenger, Mary Joy Dipay, who was seated right next to the PUV driver, sustained a cut on her forehead after hitting her head on the windshield.

She recalled that before the collision happened, she saw thick smoke coming from a vehicle a few meters away on the opposite lane.

She said just before the crash, the cargo truck suddenly swerved to its left and collided with their vehicle.