A military plane with 92 people on board has crashed on landing at the airport on Jolo island, the Philippine army reports. At least 29 persons were killed and 50 injured. The Philippine Ministry of Defense fears that more people on board have died because people are still missing.
At least 50 people have been saved alive from the burning aircraft, a C-130. Rescuers were quickly on the scene. “We pray that we can save more lives,” said General Cirilito Sobejana. He said the plane missed the runway and crashed while attempting a go-around.
A thick cloud of black smoke rose over the houses near the crash site. Photos from local media show the wreckage of the plane, which went up in flames.
For the time being, the authorities assume an accident, and there is no evidence of an attack. Many of the passengers recently completed basic military training and have been deployed to the troubled island as part of a joint task force fighting terrorism in the Muslim-majority region.
The military has a strong presence in the southern Philippines, where militant groups are active, including the Abu Sayyaf Muslim group that kidnaps ransom.