4 July 2021:Seventeen people were killed after a Philippine Air Force C-130 carrying 92 passengers crashed in a Sulu town on Sunday, according to an initial report from the military.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made the confirmation in a statement, adding at least 40 were wounded.

According to Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the incident happened at 11:30 a.m. in Brgy. Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu.

Onboard the aircraft were three pilots, five crew members, and 84 army personnel reporting for duty. The military plane flew from Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro to ferry troops to Jolo, Sulu.

Rescue and recovery efforts are still underway.

The incident came less than two weeks after a newly acquired an S-70i Black Hawk Utility helicopter of the air force crashed during a night flight training near Capas, Tarlac on June 24. Six were killed, including three pilots and three crew members.

CNNPhilipines/4 July 2021