http://news.bbc.co.uk Sunday, 10 November, 2002, 23:25 GMT Plane crashes off Manila coast A plane carrying 29 people has crashed into the waters of Manila Bay in the Philippines, shortly after taking off from the city's airport. The Fokker 27 plane, belonging to a small domestic airline called Laoag Air, had just left Manila for the northern city of Laoag, shortly after 0600 on Monday (2200GMT Sunday). Witnesses told local media the plane sounded like it was having engine trouble as it tried to gain altitude before plunging into the bay. Adelberto Yap, chief of air transportation for the Philippines, said the aircraft went down in shallow water and broke in half. "After going airborne, it ditched," he told the Associated Press. "We don't know if it lost power." Rescue teams are rushing to the scene but as yet there is no information on casualties. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive medley & videos from Greatest Hits CD