12 killed in plane crash in Philippines

Firefighters try to extinguish the flames after a light aircraft crashed into a residential area in Paranque City, Philippines on Dec. 10, 2011. A light plane crashed in Paranaque City in Philippines' capital region of Metro Manila at around 02: 45 p.m. local time on Saturday, killing 12 people and injuring 20 others, mayor Jun Bernabe said. [Xinhua/Rouelle Umali]

A light plane crashed in Paranaque City in Philippines' capital region of Metro Manila at around 02: 45 p.m. local time on Saturday, killing 12 people and injuring 20 others, mayor Jun Bernabe said.

The victims included the pilot and co-pilot as well as a number of children, Bernabe said.

The plane crashed in Better Living Subdivision, Taiwan St., setting fire at a nearby elementary school and a shanty town.

According to Manila airport official, soon after taking off from the domestic runway, the pilot found a problem. He requested the tower for relanding, but the plane crashed before it could reach the runway.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.