Cessna plane goes missing near active volcano in Philippines

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Feb 2023 16:20

A Cessna plane carrying 4 people, two of whom are Australian, has gone missing 350m away from an active volcano.

Mayon volcano spews red-hot lava in another eruption as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, roughly 340 kilometers southeast of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018 (AP).

A small Cessna 340 aircraft has reportedly crashed over an active volcano in the Philippines and official authorities confirm that the fate of the four people on board, two of whom were Australian, remains uncertain.

The Manila-based Energy Development Corporation revealed that the aircraft, which departed from Bicol and was headed to Manila, on Saturday, belonged to the company. EDC also sought to confirm whether the "very steep terrain and high altitude of about 6,000 feet" was theirs.

According to AFP, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines' spokesperson Eric Apolonio stated that "the problem is the weather is bad and it hampers the visibility of the ground search."

The Albay disaster officer Cedric Daep explained that a Cessna has been located approximately 300 to 350 meters away from the crater, however, the rumbling volcano, he noted, could erupt at any time, thus making the rescue process more complicated.

Local DZBB radio station reported that Daep said "There might be a sudden ash explosion and we could be added to the casualties."

The search will continue through Monday as Daep insisted, "We are not discounting the possibility that they could still be alive."