Philippine authorities on Monday officially ordered an investigation into the crash of an Air Force plane that overshot a runway, killing 47 soldiers on board, three civilians on the ground and injuring dozens.

Some passengers on the Lockheed C-130 jumped free seconds before the plane crashed and burst into flames on the weekend, officials cited witnesses as saying.

Military spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo said all 96 passengers had been accounted for, adding that the plane was in "very good condition" and had 11,000 flying hours remaining before maintenance was due.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte also paid tribute to soldiers who died in the country's worst military accident in three decades. Duterte flew to a military camp in the city of Zamboanga, where the dead and dozens of injured were brought following the crash.

"I commiserate with you," he said after saluting the flag-draped coffins.

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