A medical helicopter carrying five people reportedly went missing on Wednesday while on its way to a hospital in Palawan province, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said.

In its initial incident report, CAAP’s Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center said the aircraft, an Alouette helicopter with registry no. N45VX, departed from Mangsee island located in the far southwest portion of the municipality of Balabac after picking up a patient.

The helicopter was heading to Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Brooke's Point when it was reported missing around 9:00 AM on Wednesday. It was initially was expected to arrive at 10:30 a.m.

CAAP said a pilot, a nurse, and a patient with two companions were aboard the chopper.