Philippines: 29 killed as military plane crashes after missing runway
The C-130 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force was carrying 92 people.
A military plane crashed in southern Philippines on Sunday after missing the runway, killing at least 29 security personnel, AP reported.
According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, there were 92 people on board. There were three pilots and five crew members, while others were Army personnel.
The Lockheed C-130 aircraft crashed in Bangkal village in Philippines’ Patikul town, Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana told AP. It was transporting troops from southern Cagayan de Oro city.
As many as 50 survivors were taken to a hospital while search for the others was on, unidentified military officials told the news agency.
LOOK: A huge plume of smoke can be seen above the crash site of a Philippine military aircraft in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday.
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“It’s very unfortunate,” Sobejana told reporters in capital Manila. “The plane missed the runway and it was trying to regain power but failed and crashed.”
Visuals showed smoke and flames rising from the broken fuselage.
Philippines military spokesperson Colonel Edgard Arevalo said there were no signs that the aircraft was attacked, according to Reuters. He added that an investigation into the reason behind the crash was yet to begin.