Aeroplane crashes into Philippines school

A light aircraft has crashed into a school building near the Philippine capital Manila after its pilot requested an emergency landing shortly after takeoff.

Mayor Florencio Bernabe of suburban Paranaque city said the plane burst into flames after hitting the F. Serrano Elementary School.

He said no classes were being held but that officials were determining if anyone on the ground was among the dead.

Air Transportation Office chief Ramon Gutierrez says the six-to-eight-seat plane declared an emergency shortly after taking off from Manila airport for Mindoro Island.

The plane crashed before being able to return to the airport.

The death toll is at least 11 people, including two children.

Police Senior Inspector Dennis Sirilan said the fire spread rapidly to nearby homes after the plane crashed.

He said it wasn’t immediately clear how many people were on the plane, but the pilot and his co-pilot were missing.

Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwen Pang said 11 bodies have been recovered, including that of an infant and a child.