The plane was sure for the capital Manila when it misplaced contact with air site visitors management on Saturday after it left Bicol International Airport in Albay province, stated the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The two Australians – Simon Chipperfield and Karthi Santhanam – have been technical consultants working for Energy Development Corp, a Manila-based geothermal agency, the corporate confirmed in a press release.
“It’s now the fourth day since they’ve gone missing, and considering the terrain and harsh weather, it’s a difficult and challenging situation … we continue to hope and pray that we will locate them,” Allan Barcena, the corporate’s assistant vp and spokesman, informed CNN on Tuesday.
In the assertion, the corporate stated its emergency response staff had situated wreckage at an altitude of about 1823 metres close to Mount Mayon, which final erupted in 2018, on Sunday.
Authorities have been nonetheless working to succeed in the wreckage and confirm it belongs to the lacking aircraft, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio informed state broadcaster PTV on Monday.
“We only have aerial photos – the drone shots – but we cannot confirm if that is the said aircraft. Our accident investigators need to see the actual crash site on the ground,” Apolonio stated.
“We need to find the plane first before we can determine what caused the crash.”
The wreckage is situated close to a “permanent danger site” and a decided “no-fly zone” across the volcano.
Rescue groups have been given permission by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to start the high-risk search operations, he stated.
Heavy rain and the chance of landslides have added issue to the search.
More than 200 personnel together with 34 automobiles, 11 drones and 4 K9 canine have been deployed within the joint search and rescue operation to succeed in the plane within the distant volcano, in keeping with state-run Philippine News Agency.
“Sadly, we are aware that two Australians were reported to be on the light aircraft which disappeared in Albay province in the Philippines on Saturday 18 Feb,” Yu stated.
“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and loved ones of all those affected.”
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) echoed the same message in a press release equipped to 9news.com.au yesterday.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of reports that authorities lost contact with a light aircraft in the Philippines on Saturday 18 February 2023,” a spokesperson stated.
“The Australian Embassy is in contact with local authorities and DFAT officials are providing consular assistance to the families of two Australians reported to be missing.
“Our ideas are with their households, buddies and family members at this troublesome time.”
When Mount Mayon last erupted, it spewed ash and lava flow, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of villagers.
The volcano’s most devastating eruption took place in 1814 when at least 1200 people were killed.
Source: www.9news.com.au
