Colombian Military Plane Crashes on Takeoff; Dozens Feared Dead
Colombian Military Plane Crashes on Takeoff; Dozens Feared Dead
A Lockheed C-130 transport plane carrying soldiers crashes after takeoff near Puerto Leguízamo, as authorities race to confirm casualties and investigate causes.
A Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 transport plane carrying troops crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Leguízamo in Colombia's southern Amazon, near the border with Peru. Officials say the aircraft was loaded with a mix of air force personnel and soldiers, with numbers cited in reports ranging from 110 to 125 aboard. The defence minister said the accident occurred as the aircraft lifted off, and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site.
Initial reports indicated that up to 48 people had been rescued with injuries, but officials did not immediately confirm how many survived or perished. A field near the takeoff point was left in smoke as civilians and emergency crews battled the flames, and search-and-rescue operations continued as investigators moved to determine the cause of the crash.
President Gustavo Petro described the crash as a “horrific accident that should never have happened,” noting that he had long pushed for renewing the military fleet but faced bureaucratic obstacles. Defence ministers and military leaders in the country voiced their condolences and pledged a full investigation as candidates for the upcoming presidential vote posted messages mourning the tragedy and calling for answers.
The incident underscored the challenges faced by Colombia's armed forces operating in the rugged southern Amazon region along the border with Peru. As authorities gather evidence and interview surviving crew and troops, the broader questions about fleet readiness, maintenance practices, and safety protocols are likely to be a focus in the days ahead, with families and communities awaiting clarity on their loved ones' fates.
