WASHINGTON (TNND) — A military transport plane with 128 people on board crashed in Colombia on Monday, resulting in at least 66 fatalities and numerous injuries.
The Hercules C-130 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo province, which borders Ecuador and Peru. Four military personnel remain unaccounted for, according to General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto, who confirmed recovery efforts are ongoing.
Authorities reported that 115 passengers were from the Colombian Army, with 11 crew members and two members of the National Police also on board. The injured were treated at local clinics before being airlifted to larger facilities.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez stated the plane was in “airworthy condition” at the time and qualified personnel were operating it. He emphasized that speculation is inappropriate until further information is available.
Images from the site depicted smoke billowing from the wreckage, and reports indicated that some ammunition on the aircraft detonated due to the fire. A technical investigation will be conducted, involving support from the United States Air Force, to determine the cause of the crash.
In response to the tragedy, President Gustavo Petro advocated for the modernization of military equipment, linking bureaucratic challenges to previous efforts. Critics pointed to budget cuts that have reduced aircraft operational hours under his administration.
Two planes were dispatched to transport the injured to Bogotá, the nation's capital.