Around 45 people were killed and dozens injured on Sunday when a Philippine military aircraft crashed and exploded into flames after missing the runway in the country’s south.
The military aircraft C-130 Hercules carrying the troops, most of them were army personnels crashed and exploded just before landing. It was trying to land on Jolo island in Sulu province around midday.
Some of the soldiers were seen jumping out of the plane before it hit the ground and exploded into flames, said Major General William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force-Sulu.
It was one of the country’s deadliest military aviation accidents.
“This is a sad day but we have to remain hopeful,” Gonzales said in a statement. “We enjoin the nation to pray for those who are injured and those who have perished in this tragedy.”
Three civilians on the ground were hit by the aircraft’s debris and killed. 17 people are missing people and search was still under way.
