At least 45 people died after a Philippine Air Force plane crashed in the southern Philippines on Sunday, reports CNN.
What happened?
At least 45 people have died after a Philippine Air Force plane crashed in the southern Philippines on Sunday. Rescue and recovery operations continue amid the country’s worst military air disaster in decades.
Missed the runway
According to reports, the C-130 military plane was transporting troops from Cagayan de Oro, in Mindanao, to Sulu province when it missed the runway on the island of Jolo.
Crashed into village
The plane, which was carrying more than 90 military personnel and crew, crashed into nearby Patikul village at 11:30 a.m. local time on Sunday (11:30 p.m. ET).
Survivors spotted jumping out
According to a press release, “Minutes after the crash, troops and civilian volunteers rushed to the site for search and rescue. Per eyewitnesses, a number of soldiers were seen jumping out of the aircraft before it hit the ground sparing them from from the explosion caused by the crash.”
Evacuation efforts
Among those killed are 42 military personnel and three civilians. Of the 53 people injured, 49 are military personnel and four are civilians, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said. The civilians killed and injured were on the ground at the site of the crash.
At least 50 people were hospitalized after the crash, with some being evacuated to the city of “Zamboanga to undergo further treatment,” according to the statement by the Joint Task Force Sulu.
Five military personnel who were on board the plane are still missing, the army said.
This is the country’s worst military air disaster in around 30 years, Reuters reported. In 1993, a Philippines Air Force C-130 crashed, killing 30 people.
Sunday’s crash comes weeks after a newly acquired S-70i Black Hawk utility helicopter crashed during a night flight about 60 miles north of the capital Manila. All six people on board died, according to CNN.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: CNN
