A tragic air disaster has claimed the lives of at least 66 people after a Colombian military transport aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff in southern Colombia.
The C-130 Hercules plane, carrying 125 soldiers and crew members, went down near Puerto Leguizamo, close to the borders with Ecuador and Peru. The crash left dozens injured, while rescue efforts continue under difficult conditions.
Military sources confirmed that the victims include dozens of soldiers, air force personnel, and police officers. Emergency teams are still working to evacuate survivors and recover bodies from the crash site, which is located in a remote jungle area.
Authorities say the aircraft crashed moments after takeoff, scattering burning wreckage across the forest. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before seeing the plane descend rapidly.
Gustavo Petro described the incident as a “horrific accident” and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He also emphasized the need to modernize the country’s military equipment, though no official cause of the crash has been confirmed.
Defence officials have launched an investigation to determine what led to the disaster. The region where the crash occurred has recently seen increased military activity due to ongoing operations against armed groups and drug trafficking networks.
The incident marks one of the deadliest aviation accidents involving Colombia’s military in recent years, raising concerns about aircraft safety and operational conditions.
