A Philippine plane carrying more than 180 passengers veered off the runway in Iloilo City in the central Philippines causing the closure of airport operations on Saturday.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a ‘Notice to Airmen’ saying the airport will be closed until early evening on Saturday after a Cebu Pacific plane from Manila ended up on the grassy field on Friday night.

All passengers were safely evacuated.

Several domestic and international flights have been cancelled following the accident. Stranded passengers were directed to go to Roxas City, some 110 kilometres away from Iloilo, to accommodate them in additional flights.

CAAP and Cebu Pacific said they are doing everything to remove the plane from the area.

‘Cebu Pacific is working with the authorities to investigate the incident and expedite the re-opening of the airport runway,’ the company said on its website. 

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