17 dead, 40 rescued after Philippine military plane crashed

A military plane crashed and broke up in flames in the southern Philippines on Sunday, killing 17.

Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana told Reuters the plane had been carrying 92 people, including three pilots and five other crew members, according to his initial reports.

Pictures from the scene showed flames and smoke pouring from wreckage of the aircraft among trees.

At least 40 people have been rescued from the burning wreckage of the C-130, which crashed as it tried to land on Jolo island in Sulu province, armed forces chief, General Cirilito Sobejana said

Sobejana said efforts are on to save more lives.

Many of the passengers had recently graduated and were being deployed to the restive island as part of a joint task force fighting terrorism in the Muslim-majority region.