By Gabriela Baron
Bodies of the four passengers onboard Cessna 340 were successfully recovered, Camalig, Albay Mayor Carlos Baldo Jr. reported Saturday, Feb. 25.
The crash site of the plane was identified on Feb. 21, two days after the possible debris of the aircraft was found near Mayon Volcano crater.
Baldo said the four bodies are currently on their way to the base camp in Anoling, Camalig.
“[The] Incident Management Team now starts to plan the proper handling of bodies, their drop off point, ground security protocols, and turn over to concerned authorities and eventually to the bereaved families,” Baldo said.
Responders will utilize anchor bolts in relaying the bodies down the slopes of Mayon Volcano, according to the mayor.
Members of the retrieval operations recovered on Friday, Feb. 24, the belongings of the passengers including identification cards, cash, mobile phones, and a laptop.
Cessna 340 was carrying four passengers, a pilot, a crew, and two Australian nationals.
The aircraft, which was scheduled to land in Manila, was reported missing on Feb. 18 after losing contact with the Bicol International Airport Saturday morning. -ag
