In brief
A Colombian Air Force C-130 Hercules plane crashed near Puerto Leguízamo, injuring numerous passengers and crew. Emergency responders have recovered 48 individuals, while the search for potential fatalities continues. Colombian authorities expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that investigations will follow to uncover the cause of the crash and any implications for military aircraft operations in the future.
A Colombian Air Force plane has crashed in the south of the country, near the border with Peru. Air force commander Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda confirmed that there were 114 passengers and 11 crew members on board. So far, 48 individuals have been recovered with injuries and transported to hospitals. The exact number of fatalities is yet to be confirmed.
The aircraft, a US-made C-130 Hercules utilized for troop transportation, went down shortly after take-off near the town of Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo province. Emergency workers have been dispatched to the site to assist with the aftermath and aid the injured.
Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez remarked that the aircraft experienced a tragic accident while it was taking off, expressing sorrow for the victims and the nation. Images shared on local media depict smoke rising from the crash site and military personnel responding to the scene.
President Gustavo Petro voiced his hope that there would be no fatalities, attributing the accident partially to bureaucratic delays that have hindered efforts to modernize military equipment. This incident follows a recent crash involving another C-130 in Bolivia, which resulted in multiple fatalities.
