At least 40 people have been rescued from a military plane that crashed in the southern Philippines on Sunday, armed forces chief Cirilito Sobejana told reporters.

The C-130 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force had a mishap on landing on the island of Jolo, the air force said in a statement.

"Rescue efforts are ongoing," it said.

READ MORE

 At least 66 dead after Colombia military transport plane crashes

 Colombia military aircraft crashes with 125 aboard, many feared dead

 Pilot, co-pilot killed in LaGuardia runway collision

 Passenger plane veers off runway at Wilson Airport

A picture published by ABS-CBN News on Twitter showed smoke and flames pouring from the broken fuselage.

The AFP news agency said the plane had been carrying 85 people, citing the army chief.

Armed forces chief Cirilito Sobejana told reporters that at least 40 people were rescued from the crashed plane and were now treated.