Colombia Military Plane Crash: Death Toll Reaches 68
(Bogotá) At least 68 soldiers and police officers died in one of the deadliest air accidents in Colombia’s recent history, according to a new report published Tuesday.
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Crash Details and Location
The C-130 Hercules crashed on Monday approximately one kilometer from the runway from which it had just taken off, in the Amazonian department of Putumayo, near the border with Peru. CBC News and NBC News reported on the incident.
Casualties and Injuries
The aircraft was carrying 128 passengers and ammunition. The death toll has been revised upwards from an initial report of 66 fatalities. The Associated Press confirmed the updated figure.
More than fifty people were injured, including residents who came to aid and were affected by the explosion of ammunition following the aircraft fire.
Eyewitness Accounts and Response
Images shared on social media depicted residents forming human chains to extinguish the burning plane and evacuating the injured on motorcycles.
Political Fallout and Investigation
Left-wing president Gustavo Petro has publicly questioned the decision to operate the aging aircraft, manufactured in 1983. He asked, “Why did you buy such an old plane?” and “Who advised you such nonsense?” on social media.
Former president Ivan Duque responded by criticizing Petro’s comments as “vile and devoid of intelligence,” and called for an investigation that considers the aircraft’s weight at takeoff and the condition of the runway.
Ongoing Investigation
An investigation is underway to determine the causes of the accident. The Ministry of Defense has stated that an attack by guerrilla groups operating in the coca-growing region has been ruled out. USA Today provides further details on the investigation.