MANILA: A medical evacuation plane exploded in a ball of flames during takeoff on Sunday (Mar 29) in the Philippine capital, killing all eight passengers and crew on board, officials said.
The plane was bound from Manila to Haneda, Japan, and burst into flames at the end of the runway, Manila's main airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said.
Fire crews were dispatched to douse the plane with foam, the airport added.
The Lionair plane was carrying three medical personnel, three flight crew, a patient and a companion, Richard Gordon, a senator and head of the Philippine Red Cross, said on Twitter.
"The plane caught fire and exploded as it was taking off the NAIA runway," he said.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/lion-air-plane-crash-philippines-manila-airport-naia-12587828?cid=FBcna
and for awhile the only bad thing we knew was covid-19... Now it's both.. RIP