Colombian Military Plane Crash Kills At Least 66

BOGOTA, Colombia — A military transport plane with 128 people on board, mostly soldiers, crashed shortly after taking off Monday in Puerto Leguizamo, Colombia, killing at least 66 people and leaving dozens injured, the head of Colombia’s armed forces said.

Details of the Crash

General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto announced that four military personnel were still missing. “Sadly, as a consequence of this tragic accident, 66 of our military elements died,” he said. Authorities have stated there is no indication the crash was caused by an attack from an illegal armed group NBC News.

The aircraft, a Lockheed Martin-built Hercules C-130, crashed shortly after departing from Puerto Leguízamo, a remote town in the Putumayo province near the borders with Peru and Ecuador Times Now News. The plane was carrying 121 people – 110 soldiers and 11 crew members – according to officials AP News. Conflicting reports initially placed the total number of people on board at 125.

Deputy Mayor Carlos Claros reported that the bodies of the victims were taken to the town’s morgue, and the injured were initially treated at the town’s two clinics before being transported to larger hospitals.

Rescue and Response Efforts

Ambulances rushed to Bogota’s Central Military hospital late Monday, carrying dozens of injured passengers AP News. The air force dispatched two planes with 74 beds to evacuate the injured to Bogota and other cities. Videos circulating on social media showed residents assisting in rescue efforts, transporting soldiers on motorcycles and attempting to extinguish the fire caused by the crash NBC News.

Investigation and Political Response

Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez stated the plane went down approximately 1.5 to 2 kilometers from the runway after takeoff. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. Ammunition on board detonated after impact, complicating rescue efforts AP News.

President Gustavo Petro used the accident to advocate for the modernization of the country’s military equipment, citing bureaucratic obstacles that have hindered such efforts. He suggested accountability for officials who have not prioritized these improvements NBC News.

The Hercules C-130 involved in the crash was donated by the United States in 2020 and underwent a major overhaul in 2023, including engine inspection and component replacement NBC News.