The Manila Times
BUTUAN CITY – Search and assessment operations continue at the crash site of a Cessna plane in Barangay Navarro, Tubajon, Dinagat Islands, authorities said Thursday. Search and rescue (SAR) teams found the wreckage of the aircraft, identified with registry number RP-C2444, in the village on Wednesday afternoon. As of Thursday morning, the Dinagat Islands Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said SAR operations remain ongoing across the rugged terrain of the crash site. “Authorities are also intensifying efforts to locate the individuals on board who remain missing as of this report,” the PDRRMO said. An Incident Management Team (IMT) convened onsite to establish a unified command and ensure coordination among responding agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP). Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. immediately ordered the operation following reports of the crash. Bound for Siargao Residents in Barangay Navarro reported hearing a loud explosion at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Around 3 p.m., the provincial government received a report from the Siargao Tower stating the aircraft had lost communication. Its last known location was in the area of Barangay Navarro. The report noted that the aircraft, carrying two people, was heading for Siargao Island. The report did not indicate the plane's point of origin. SAR teams located the crash site at around 4 p.m. and recovered portions of the wreckage. “Responders remain focused on navigating challenging terrain conditions while sustaining search efforts,” the PDRRMO added.
Go to News Site