Death toll in Sulu military plane crash climbs to 52
Two soldiers who were critically wounded when a Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130 cargo plane crashed in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday, July 4, succumbed to their injuries on Monday, July 5, raising the death toll to 52.
This was confirmed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo.
"May namatay na dalawa today increasing the total from 47 to 49 (Two more died today increasing the total from 47 to 49)," Arevalo told reporters.
Lorenzana said the updated tally was as of 6 p.m. Monday.
Earlier, the military reported that three civilians were also killed in the plane crash.
Forty-seven military personnel and four civilians were also injured and are now being treated in various hospitals in Zamboanga City and Sulu.
Pres. Duterte, the Commander-in-Chief of the AFP; Lorenzana, and AFP Chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana all visited Zamboanga City to honor the fallen and wounded soldiers on Monday.
The PAF transport plane was carrying 96 military personnel when it crashed in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul shortly after landing and overshooting from the runway of Jolo airport on Sunday morning.
Most of those onboard the aircraft were fresh graduates from their military training who were on their first deployment to help combat terrorism in Sulu.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.