At least 50 people dead in the C-130 Philippine Air Force plane crash.

On July 4, 2021, a C-130 military plane carrying 96 soldiers and crew members crashed on the southern island of Jolo, killing at least 50 people.

On July 4, 2021, a C-130 military plane carrying 96 soldiers and crew members crashed on the southern island of Jolo, killing at least 50 people.Reuters reports that the C-130 crashed and exploded while attempting to land on Jolo island. It was transporting newly graduated men to counter-insurgency operations in the south. According to the military ministry, the disaster's death toll had increased to 52, including three civilians, when two of the 49 injured militaries died.

The C-130 military plane missed a runway while attempting to land, said Philippine Army Chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana. It went down near Bangkal, in the municipality of Patikul, which is a stronghold of the insurgent group Abu Sayyaf.

Brazilian President Rodrigo Duterte traveled to a military base in the southern city of Zamboanga, where the dead and dozens of injured were transferred after a cargo jet crashed. After honoring the flag-draped coffins, Duterte stated, "I commiserate with you. I am as sorrowful as you. And as commander-in-chief, I am hurting the most because of lives lost."

According to military spokesperson Edgard Arevalo, the jet was in extremely excellent condition and had 11,000 flight hours left until its next due repair. Soldiers were flying in from Laguindingan, 460 kilometers (290 miles) distant, to be deployed to their battalions.

The crashed C-130 military plane first flew in 1988 and was used by the U.S. Air Force until it was given to the Philippines in January, according to the Philippine Air Force and a website that tracks C-130s worldwide. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stated that he would order a full probe into the incident as soon as the rescue and recovery efforts are over.