The death toll from a Colombian military aircraft crash in the Putumayo region has reached 66, with 57 others sustaining injuries. The C-130 Hercules transport plane was carrying 114 passengers and 11 crew members. An investigative team has been dispatched to determine the cause of the crash, as stated by Carlos Silva, commander of the Colombian Aerospace Force.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed concerns about the status of over 40 individuals onboard the plane, which remain unconfirmed. The Colombian Air Force Commander Fernando Silva mentioned that investigations are ongoing to ascertain the reasons behind the tragic incident.
Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims, emphasizing that the crash occurred during takeoff from Puerto Leguizamo. Military units are present at the crash site, and efforts are underway to establish the exact cause of the accident.
Sanchez also extended sympathies to the affected families and highlighted the activation of care protocols to assist those impacted. Some injured soldiers have been transferred to Bogota for medical treatment. Colombian President Petro criticized the incident, attributing it to the lack of modernization in the armed forces due to bureaucratic challenges.
Flight data revealed that the aircraft involved was a C-130H Hercules, an older model in service since 1965. The plane was donated to the Colombian Air Force by the US Air Force in 2020. Videos circulating on social media captured the aircraft’s steep descent after takeoff and the subsequent smoke emanating from the crash site. The accident occurred close to a populated area, raising concerns about the proximity of the crash to civilians.
