(UPDATE) Plane carrying gov't officials overshoots in Tacloban airport

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A small private plane carrying government officials overshot at the airport of Tacloban today as it attempted to take off shortly after Pope Francis cut short his trip and left, a senior official said.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said 15 passengers and crew members were on board including Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Communications secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. and Office of the President undersecretary Emmanuel Bautista.

Lacierda said the families of those on board have also been assured that their loved ones are safe.

"President Aquino was informed about the incident and he was happy to hear that all on board were safe and directed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to investigate whether the proximate cause of the incident was weather-related or otherwise," Lacierda added.

The Cabinet officials were in Tacloban for the papal visit which was cut short due to Tropical Storm Amang (Mekkhala).

The Pope left around 1 p.m. local time, about three hours before his scheduled departure.