Hong Kong
CNN
—
Philippine authorities on Monday launched a search mission at the top of the dormant volcano after discovering what they believe to be the wreckage of a missing plane carrying two Australians with a Filipino pilot and crew. .
The six-seat Cessna 340 aircraft was heading for the capital Manila when it lost contact with air traffic control on Saturday after departing from Bicol International Airport in Albay province, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The two Australians, Simon Chipperfield and Carti Santnam, were technical consultants working for Energy Development Corporation, a Manila-based geothermal company, the company confirmed in a statement.
“It’s been four days since they went missing. It’s a difficult and challenging situation given the terrain and inclement weather…We continue to hope and pray that they will be found,” a spokesman said. told CNN on Tuesday.
In a statement, the company’s emergency response team said Sunday it had found debris at an altitude of about 6,000 feet (1,823 meters) near Mount Mayon, which last erupted in 2018.
Authorities continue to work to reach the wreckage and identify it as belonging to the missing plane, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apollonio told state broadcaster PTV on Monday.
“We only have aerial photos (drone shots), but we cannot confirm if it is that aircraft. Our accident investigators need to see the actual crash site on the ground.” said Apollonius.
“We need to find the plane first before we can find out what caused the crash.”
The wreckage is near a “no-fly zone” determined to be a “permanent hazard area” around the volcano, and rescue teams have been given permission by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to begin a high-risk search operation. , he said. Heavy rains and the risk of landslides are making the search difficult.
According to the state-run Philippine News Agency, more than 200 personnel and 34 vehicles, 11 drones and four K9 dogs were deployed in a joint search and rescue operation to reach the remote volcano aircraft.
When Mayon volcano last erupted, volcanic ash and lava flows spewed out, forcing tens of thousands of villagers to evacuate. The volcano’s most devastating eruption occurred in 1814, killing at least 1,200 people.
HK Yu, Australia’s Ambassador to the Philippines, said: on Twitter The embassy has been in contact with Philippine authorities and is providing consular assistance to the two Australian families.
“Unfortunately, we are aware of reports that two Australians were on board a light aircraft that went missing in Albay, Philippines on Saturday, February 18,” Yu said. “Our thoughts are with all affected family, friends and loved ones.
