Rescuers near Cessna crash site with hope of finding survivors
THE SEARCH and rescue team deployed to Mt. Mayon following a Cessna aircraft crash Saturday were already 300 meters away from the wreckage site as of Wednesday afternoon, according to authorities, traversing on foot with “hope” of finding the four people on board.
“Our priority is still search and rescue as we hope for possible results later today,” Cedric D. Daep, chief of the Albay Provincial Safety, Emergency, and Management Office, said during a live-streamed press briefing Wednesday morning.
The responders include six firefighters and 11 members of the Philippine Army, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Camalig Mayor Carlos “Caloy” Irwin G. Baldo, Jr., the rescue operation’s ground commander, said during the briefing that they are also putting a high priority on protecting the team.
He said they are executing “flexible” plans to avoid the risk of further casualties.
Investigators from the CAAP Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board confirmed on Tuesday that the wreckage captured on camera by the team surveying the area was that of the missing Cessna aircraft.
“Once the wreckage site has been reached and the passengers are identified, they will be airlifted to an undisclosed area for further medical assessment,” CAAP said.
CAAP said the Cessna aircraft, owned by the Energy Development Corp., that went missing in Camalig, Albay early Saturday was carrying a pilot, a crew, and two Australian passengers.
