Original Source
Colombian Military Transport Plane Crashes, Killing 66
Colombian Military Plane Crash and Casualties
On Monday, a Colombian military Hercules C-130 transport plane crashed shortly after takeoff in the southern province of Putumayo, killing at least 66 people. The incident occurred near Puerto Leguizamo, a remote Amazonian municipality close to the borders with Peru and Ecuador, just a few kilometers from the airport. Reports indicated between 121 and 128 passengers and crew were on board, with the deceased including six airmen, 58 members of the National Army, and two National Police officers. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez described the incident as a “tragic accident.”
Investigation into the Cause and Official Response
The aircraft reportedly experienced trouble soon after departure. The exact cause of the crash is under investigation, with officials stating there was no immediate indication that it was caused by an attack from armed groups. Rescue and evacuation operations continued into the night, with injured passengers being transported to other aircraft. The plane was identified as a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, which had been donated by the United States in 2020 and overhauled in 2023. President Gustavo Petro stated that the disaster underscored the need to modernize Colombia's military fleet.
*Source: RT News (2026-03-24)*
