BREAKING: Ten dead as plane crashes into house in Bulacan

Bulacan
The search for one missing person and investigations are continuing at the scene. So far, 10 casualties have been confirmed. Picture by Dezza Fernandez, via Twitter

A small passenger plane crashed landed onto a house in Bulacan, leaving 10 people dead, including three children.

All five people on the plane, including the pilot and chief engineer, were killed. The other victims were the residents of the house, who were eating their lunch when the crash happened.

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The Piper-23 Apache twin-engined plane had taken off from Plaridel town at 11.21am shortly before losing control for unknown reasons, Eric Apolonio of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said.

Police Superintendent Julio Lizardoll confirmed that all five Filipino nationals on board the six-seat plane were killed, and that the five people dead on the ground were all members of the same family.

Eyewitnesses have said the plane hit a tree and electric post before slamming into the house.

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The crash ignited a fire that led to two other people, identified as Virginia Marquez and her grandchild Santino Yuri, being injured by burning debris.

Rescuers are continuing to search for at least one missing person in the rubble of the house.

Mr Apolonio said the aircraft, which was operated by Lite Air Express, was bound for Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

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All the aircraft operated by the transport and courier company have been grounded while investigators work to determine the cause of the Bulacan crash.

The Police Regional Office in Central Luzon has named the five people who died on the plane as Captain Ruel Meloria (pilot), Romeo Huenda (chief mechanic), Elisha Necesario, Maria Vera Pagaduan and Nelson Melgar.

Other confirmed fatalities are Louisa dela Rosa, aged 80; Risa dela Rosa and her three children — 17-year-old John dela Rosa, 11-year-old Timothy dela Rosa and seven-year-old Trisa dela Rosa.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates…

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