Philippine Military Aircraft Crash: Over 40 Rescued, 17 Bodies Found (Update)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Seventeen bodies have been found in the wreckage of a Philippine military aircraft that crashed on Jolo Island in southern Philippines. So far, more than 40 people have been rescued, and Philippine authorities are reportedly concerned that the death toll may rise.

According to AFP and other foreign media on the 4th (local time), Philippine authorities reported that they recovered 17 bodies from the wreckage of the Philippine military aircraft that crashed on Jolo Island in southern Philippines that morning. The aircraft crashed in the mountainous area of Patikul while attempting to land on Holoholo Island in Sulu Province, southern Philippines, around 11:30 a.m. that day.

Delphin Lorenzana, the Philippine Secretary of National Defense, announced that a total of 92 people were on board the transport plane, including 85 navy personnel, 3 pilots, and 5 crew members. Cyrilito Sobejana, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, stated that the military has so far rescued at least 40 people who are currently receiving treatment. Chief of Staff Sobejana explained, "The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined," adding, "The pilot failed to locate the runway and lost control of the transport plane, which ultimately led to the crash."

It was raining in the area where the transport plane crashed that day, and the military is reportedly continuing rescue operations while checking for survivors' responses within the wreckage. Philippine military authorities expect the death toll to increase further.

The soldiers on board the military aircraft were reportedly deployed to Jolo Island after completing basic military training to respond to terrorist activities by the Islamic extremist group Abu Sayyaf. Abu Sayyaf is a Philippine rebel organization linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS), responsible for bombings and civilian kidnappings. The Philippine government, together with the United States, has designated it as a terrorist organization and has been conducting operations to eliminate it.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.