In brief
In a heartbreaking incident, a Colombian military C-130 Hercules aircraft crashed in the Putumayo province, near Puerto Leguízamo, shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was transporting 114 army personnel and had 11 crew members on board. Emergency responders have confirmed eight deaths and over 80 injuries. The plane's cause of crash is under investigation.
A Colombian Air Force plane has crashed in the south of the country, leaving at least eight people dead. Air force commander Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda confirmed that 114 army personnel were onboard along with 11 crew members. Reports indicate that 48 people have been rescued from the wreckage with injuries and currently hospitalized.Regional governor Jhon Gabriel Molina stated that the tragic accident resulted in over 80 injuries. The collision occurred near Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo province when the US-made C-130 Hercules, primarily utilized for troop transportation, came down shortly after takeoff.Emergency workers have been visible at the crash site, searching through debris for potential survivors. Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez labeled the event a “tragic accident,” expressing sorrow for the losses sustained. Images depict plumes of smoke at the crash site and local citizens aiding in the transportation of injured personnel to medical facilities. President Gustavo Petro responded to the disaster by expressing distress and addressing the bureaucratic delays in military modernization efforts, emphasizing the necessity for improvement to prevent future tragedies. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
