Helicopter crash kills Philippines provincial governor

Manila: Officials say at least seven people, including the governor of a northern Philippine province, were killed Monday when a private helicopter crashed in a residential area southeast of Manila.

Senior Supt. Erickson Velasquez, the provincial police chief, says four people on board the helicopter, including Quezon provincial Governor Rafael Nantes, two of his security personnel and the chopper's pilot were charred beyond recognition.

Velasquez says three other people were killed on the ground while three houses were burned at Monday's crash site in Jael Subdivision in Quezon province's capital Lucena city, about 70 miles (110 kilometres) southeast of Manila.

Two bodies were found inside one house, while another was retrieved outside the house.