Colombia Military Plane Crash Kills 66, Four Soldiers Still Missing
Rescue teams in southern Colombia are searching for four soldiers still missing after a Colombian Air Force transport plane crashed on Monday, killing 66 personnel on board.
The Hercules C-130 transport aircraft went down shortly after taking off near the town of Puerto Leguízamo, close to the border with Peru.
The plane was en route to Puerto Asís, carrying 128 members of Colombia’s security forces, including army personnel, air force members, and police officers.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
According to Commander General Hugo Alejandro López, 58 army soldiers, six air force members, and two police officers lost their lives in the crash.
Locals rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the burning wreckage and transporting them to nearby hospitals on motorbikes.
Mobile footage shared on social media showed the plane losing altitude soon after take-off, followed by smoke and explosions.
Colombian Defence Minister stated that the explosions were caused by ammunition on board, and there is no evidence of sabotage or attack from armed groups operating in the Putumayo region.
Investigation Points to Potential Equipment Issues
President Gustavo Petro highlighted concerns about outdated military hardware, suggesting that the accident may be linked to antiquated equipment.
Without naming the Hercules C-130 directly, he said, “This piece of scrap metal was bought in 2020 and came down. Let’s ask why.”
Earlier, Petro criticized bureaucratic delays that stalled modernization of the armed forces’ equipment and aircraft, emphasizing that he will “allow no further delays, the lives of our young people are at stake.”
Historical Context of the Aircraft
This crash marks the second deadly incident involving a Hercules C-130 in the region within two months.
On February 27, a Bolivian military Hercules C-130, carrying currency shipments, overshot the runway in El Alto, Bolivia, and crashed into traffic on a nearby highway, killing 24 people.
Eyewitness Accounts
Local resident Noé Mota recounted hearing a loud bang before the aircraft struck trees near his property. “I felt an explosion in the air, and when I looked up, the plane was flying close to the house on my plot,” he said.
Ongoing Search and Response
Rescue operations continue for the four missing personnel. Authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the precise cause of the crash, while reaffirming that no armed attacks are suspected.
The accident has renewed discussions in Colombia about the urgent need to modernize military transport fleets and improve aviation safety for security forces operating in remote and challenging regions.
