MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:30 p.m.) — All four passengers of a small plane that crashed near Mayon Volcano’s crater were found dead, a local official confirmed on Thursday.
Four people, including two Australians, were on board the Cessna 340 aircraft when it went missing on Saturday morning after taking off from the Bicol International Airport for Manila.
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“No more search and rescue operation. Our operation is now focused on retrieval because we’re able to locate the passengers. They were lifeless,” Camalig town Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo said in an interview with TeleRadyo.
“The challenge for us now is how to bring down the remains of the passengers,” he added.
Mayon Volcano’s rough terrain has hampered efforts to reach the crash site.
In a statement on Facebook, the Energy Development Corporation identified the fatalities as the following:
- Capt. Rufino James Crisostomo Jr.
- Joel Martin
- Simon Chipperfield
- Karthi Santhanam
“We stand in compassion and deep sorrow with the families of our fallen kapamilyas in this unthinkable tragedy. We are working with authorities to bring them home to their loved ones where they may rest in peace,” the EDC said.
The Australians were technical consultants for the renewable energy company.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the plane was on the western side of the volcano, about 3,500 to 4,000 feet above sea level. — Gaea Katreena Cabico