Retrieval operations for the remains of the victims of the ill-fated Cessna plane that crashed in Albay near Mayon Volcano were successful a week after the plane went missing.

The remains of the four victims was initially brought to the base camp on Saturday, that is still part of the volcano, and will be transferred to the Camalig, Albay proper.

Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo on Thursday confirmed that all passengers of the ill-fated Cessna 340 plane had died.

It carried a pilot, a co-pilot, and 2 Australian nationals that served as consultants of the power firm Energy Development Corporation.

According to Baldo, the retrieval team had difficulties reaching the crash site, which was estimated to have an elevation of 3,500 to 4,000 feet on the west side slope of Mayon, due to the volcano’s rough terrain.

It was reported missing on Feb. 18, shortly after takeoff from the Bicol International Airport in Albay.

The next day, it was reportedly found and was later confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

According to CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio their investigators had confirmed the wreckage when they identified the markings from the missing aircraft using footage from an infrared camera.

It is the second Cessna plane that went missing in less than a month.

Earlier, the Cessna plane 206, had gone missing after taking off from Cauayan, Isabela last Jan. 24. So far, it has yet to be found.

CURRENTPH NEWS SERVICE