A Philippine Lockheed C-130 transport aircraft carrying 85 people crashed at Patikul in Sulu province, in the far south of the archipelago nation where the army has been fighting a long war against Islamist militants from the Abu Sayyaf and other factions.
This heppend on Sunday after missing the runway, killing at least 17 military men and rescuing at least 40 others from the blazing wreckage.
Rescue efforts are still underway. As per reports, there were 92 individuals on board, including three pilots and five crew members. The others were army personnel.
“So far 40 wounded and injured were rescued and 17 bodies recovered. Rescue and recovery is ongoing,” Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement, adding that 92 people had been on board.
Military chief Cirilito Sobejana said the plane had “missed the runway trying to regain power.
Colonel Edgard Arevalo, said there was no indication of any attack on the plane but that a crash investigation had not begun, and efforts were focused on rescue and treatment.
Many of the passengers had recently graduated from basic military training and were being deployed to the restive island as part of a joint task force fighting terrorism in the Muslim-majority region.
( Featured image used is for representation )
