Four feared dead after horror plane crash near remote volcano in the Philippines as drones join hunt for survivors
FOUR people are feared dead after a horror plane crash near a volcano in the Philippines.
Hundreds of rescuers have been scrambled to the scene of the wreckage about 350 metres from the Mayon Volcano near Bicol International Airport.
Simon Chipperfield and Karthi Santhanam, from Australia, were on board the Cessna RPC340 when it crashed shortly before 7am on Saturday.
The two engineers were on the flight with pilot Rufino James Crisostomo Jr and mechanic Joel Martin.
Images showed the wreckage of the plane between the towns of Guinobatan and Camalig.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the aircraft went missing just five minutes after taking off for Manila.
And more than 200 rescuers are now working to get to the crash site using vehicles, drones and dogs.
Bad weather has hampered the ground search.
Camalig fire station chief senior inspector Hamor Laguilles reportedly said the plane was “flying too low… and making a loud crumbling sound before it disappeared”.
It’s understood Simon and Karthi were flying to Manila after a site visit at Bac-Man Geothermal Power Plant.
The pair are engineers at Energy Development Corporation – the Philippines’ largest renewable energy company.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware authorities had lost contact with the light aircraft.
“The Australian Embassy is in contact with local authorities and is providing consular assistance to the families of two Australians reported to be missing,” a spokesperson said.
“Our thoughts are with their friends and loved ones at this difficult time.”