At least 29 people were killed after a Philippine military plane carrying 96 people crashed in the country's south on Sunday, local media reported.

According to the Philippine News Agency, at least 50 people have so far been rescued, while 17 were still unaccounted for.

Two of those killed and four of the injured persons were civilians on the ground.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130 aircraft crashed in Patikul, Sulu at 11.30 a.m. (0330GMT), according to the news agency.

Three pilots and three airmen were also killed in the crash, it added.

Rescue operations are still ongoing for the missing passengers and crew, according to the Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who said they were "deeply saddened by the C-130 mishap in Sulu".