(Eagle News) — The Department of Health on Monday, March 30, expressed its condolences to loved ones of the people on board a Lionair Inc. plane that crashed as it was on its way to Japan for a medical evacuation mission.
According to the Manila International Airport Authority, the eight fatalities included one American, one Canadian, and six Filipinos,
The DOH said Lionair, Inc. was a partner of the Department of Health in serving the people of Visayas and Mindanao.
It said the Philippine-based firm has been “instrumental in transporting medical supplies to hospitals in these two regions.”
“Just a few hours before the accident, the pilot and crew members just finished transporting health commodities and supplies to Zamboanga, Mactan, Iloilo, and Butuan,” the DOH said.
“We would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the victims involved in the crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time,” the DOH added.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the plane encountered technical problems before takeoff at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sunday night, and then later caught fire.
The government said it was grounding the entire Lionair fleet following the incident.
