MANILA – At least 17 people killed while 40 rescued after the PhilippineAir Force’s C-130 plane with 92 people on board crashed on landing on theisland of Jolo, the air force said Sunday.
International news outlets quoting Philippines Defence Minister DelfinLorenzana said that a total of 17 bodies have been recovered while 40people have been rescued and are now being treated in medical facilitywhile the death toll would likely to soar as desperate rescue effortscontinued. Reports further suggest that among ninety-two passengers, mostof them were army personnel.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Armed Forces of the Philippines CirilitoSobejana also confirmed newsmen that at least 40 people have been rescuedfrom the burning wreckage of the C-130.
‘Responders are at the site now. We are praying we can save more lives,’ heexpressed hope adding that ‘It’s very unfortunate. The plane missed therunway, and it was trying to regain power but failed and crashed.’
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The 55-year-old further added that the aircraft had been carrying troopsfrom Cagayan de Oro on the southern island of Mindanao when it ‘missed therunway’ as it tried to land on Jolo. The wrecked plane tried to ‘regainpower but didn’t make it’, he said while describing the accident as ‘veryunfortunate’.
