Philippine plane crash: 50 dead in C-130 military aircraft crash in Sulu

Plane Crash in Jolo, Sulu

A Philippine air force troop plane crashed and burst into flames on Sunday killing at least 50 people. The country's worst air disaster in nearly 30 years. 

The bodies of 47 military personnel who died in the accident were found while 49 others were hospitalized due to various injuries.

The Philippine Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that three civilians on the ground were also killed in the accident and four civilians were injured. 

According to reports, the Lockheed C-130 transport plane is carrying 96 people, and the troops on board is preparing to carry out operations against insurgency. 

It is reported that the plane crashed in an area where the Philippine army has long fought against extremist militants. 

The plane had attempted to land at Jolo Airport but overshot the runway without touching down. It failed to regain enough power and height and crashed at nearby Patikul.

Officials said a number of soldiers jumped out of the aircraft before it hit the ground. 

The accident was the worst military plane crash in the Philippines in the past 30 years. 

A spokesman for the Philippine military said that there was no sign of any attack on the plane but an investigation had yet to begin as efforts were focused on rescue and treatment.