The C-130 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force with 92 people on board had a mishap on landing on the island of Jolo, the air force said – at least 40 people have been rescued
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At least 17 people have died after a military plane crashed and broke up in flames in the southern Philippines.
The C-130 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force with 92 people on board had a mishap on landing on the island of Jolo, the air force said in a statement.
A total of 17 bodies have been recovered and at least 40 people have been rescued and are now being treated, Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana confirmed.
Pictures from the scene of the crash on Sunday morning showed bright orange flames and thick grey smoke pouring from the wreckage of the aircraft among trees.
The Defence Minister told Reuters the plane had been carrying 92 people, including three pilots and five other crew members.
“While transporting our troops from Cagayan de Oro (on the southern island of Mindanao), it missed the runway, trying to regain power but it didn’t make it,” Armed forces chief Cirilito Sobejana added, speaking to local media.
“Responders are at the site now, we are praying we can save more lives.”
The crash happened at 11.30am local time, Inquirer.net reports.
The crash was not thought to have been caused by an attack, but the focus now was on rescuing survivors and not investigating the cause, army spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo said.
The plane crashed in an area where troops have long been fighting Islamist militants.
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