The wreckage of Cessna 340A, the aircraft which was reported missing yesterday, was eventually found more than 32 hours since its disappearance.
The aircraft reportedly crashed on the upper part of Brgy. Quirangay, along the Anoling gulley, just 350m away from the crater of Mayon Volcano.
The pilot, mechanic, and the 2 Australian passengers have yet to be found.
Cessna 340A was supposedly bound for Manila yesterday morning when it was reported unresponsive at around 6:00AM yesterday, opting LGU-Camalig to alert barangays and mobilize responders, along with the augmentation of various government and private agencies.
Authorities are presently investigating the crash site to map out factors that led to the recent incident in town.
Search and rescue operations are still in effect unless dead bodies are found, then it will be declared as search and retrieval operations.
With augmentation support from national agencies, the team is set to closely coordinate with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) considering the risks posed by Mayon Volcano’s present Alert Level 2 status – The local government is expected to formulate protocols especially intended for said search and rescue/retrieval ops, along with the prioritization of responder safety.
“Tuloy po ang search and rescue operations. Hindi tayo susuko kasi buhay ng tao ang concerned dito.”, Mayor Caloy said. (Jv Navarro Verdeflor Jr Via Mayor Caloy Baldo LGU Camalig, photo credits to the owner)