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Fears over the disappearance of two Australian mining engineers in the Philippines after their plane crashed near a remote volcano
- Two Australians were on a plane that crashed in the Philippines
- The plane was heading to Manila but contact was lost
- The remains were photographed near the crater of the Mayon volcano.
Fears are grave for two Australian engineers after a small plane crashed near a volcano in the Philippines as search and rescue teams search for the wreckage.
Simon Chipperfield and Karthi Santhanam, who are from South Australia, were aboard a Cessna RPC340 that crashed after leaving Bicol International Airport in Albay at 6:43am on Saturday.
While the plane was officially reported missing, images of the wreckage have surfaced some 350 meters from the Mayon volcano crater, near the airport.
Mr Chipperfield and Mr Santhanam were on board the flight with pilot Rufino James Crisostomo Jr and mechanic Joel Martin.
It is understood that the two Australians They were en route to Manila after a site visit at the Bac-Man Geothermal Power Plant as part of their job as engineers.
Two Australian men fear after a plane crashed near a volcano crater in the Philippines (pictured, small plane wreckage near Mayon volcano crater)
Engineers Simon Chipperfield and Karthi Santhanam, who are from South Australia, were aboard a Cessna 340 plane that left Bicol International Airport for Manila on Saturday.
But communication with the aircraft’s pilot was lost three minutes after the plane’s departure.
The aircraft was last seen five minutes after leaving the airport before it was reported missing.
youThe Fire Protection Office in Albay He said the remains were photographed in the forested boundary between the cities of Guinobatan and Camalig.
The plane had taken off during moderate rain.
The head of the Camalig fire station, Chief Inspector Hamor Laguilles, relayed the account of a village chief who saw the plane and said it was “flying too low, (emitting) smoke and making a loud crashing sound before landing.” disappear”.
Search and rescue teams have been trying to reach the crash site, but wet weather has made their movement difficult.
Communication with the pilot was lost three minutes after the plane took off. The plane was last seen five minutes after leaving the airport before it was reported missing.
Search and rescue teams have been deployed, but their movements have been hampered by the weather.
More than 200 people are working to find the remains using vehicles, drones and dogs.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that they are aware of the missing aircraft in the Philippines.
“The Australian Embassy is in contact with local authorities and is providing consular assistance to the families of two Australians who have reported themselves missing,” a spokesman said.
“Our thoughts are with his friends and loved ones at this difficult time.”