8 perish as plane explodes during takeoff at NAIA

PLANE CATCHES FIRE. A West Wind 24 aircraft bound for Haneda, Japan caught fire at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. MIAA reported that no passenger survived the accident. (Contributed photo via PNA)

MANILA — A medical evacuation (medevac) plane bound for Haneda, Japan exploded while taking off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday night.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said the incident involving a West Wind 24 aircraft took place around 8 p.m at the end of runway 24.

Fire and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site.

According to MIAA, all eight passengers did not survive the accident.

There were two passengers and six crew members, it added.

NAIA runway 24 is currently closed for investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Based on a general declaration shared with reporters, the medevac plane with registry number RPC5880 is operated by Lion Air Incorporated.