View of the site after a Philippines Air Force Lockheed C-130 plane carrying troops crashed on landing in Patikul, Sulu province, Philippines July 4, 2021. Armed Forces of the Philippines – Joint Task Force Sulu/Handout via REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines — More countries on Monday offered their sympathies and condolences over the death of at least 50 soldiers and civilians in a military plane crash in Sulu over the weekend.
In a statement, France, through its embassy in Manila, said it was “deeply saddened” to learn of the deadly crash.
“The Embassy of France expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and to the Filipino people, and hopes for the swift recovery of those injured in this tragic accident,” it said.
“Amid this particularly challenging and emotional time for the nation, France reiterates its solidarity with the Philippines and its armed forces,” the embassy added.
The embassies of Russia and South Korea likewise conveyed their condolences and wished a speedy recovery for those who were injured in the crash.
Meanwhile, Israel expressed hopes for the Philippines to “find the resilience required to overcome this tragedy and to grieve for those who lost their lives.”
“In this difficult time, we would like to give strength to the Filipino people and the AFP personnel,” Israel’s embassy in Manila.
“Israel, as a true friend of the Philippines, is saddened by this tragic incident. We offer our prayers to the bereaved families and we wish for a fast recovery to those who were injured,” it added.
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For her part, Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Philippines Saskia de Lang said her country shares the “grief of the Filipino nation, particularly with the bereaved families of those serving with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in this difficult time.”
“On behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, I offer my deepest sympathies to the Armed Forces, to the family and friends of those deceased; and extend my wishes for the swift recovery of those who were injured,” the ambassador said.
Forty-seven military personnel and three civilians on the ground were killed in the crash in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday.
Meanwhile, 49 military personnel and four other civilians on the ground were injured.
All of the 96 passengers have been accounted for, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo.