Key Points
- Crash occurred near remote jungle region in southern Colombia
- Rescue efforts hampered by difficult terrain and limited infrastructure
- Eyewitnesses reported explosion before the aircraft went down
- Authorities yet to determine the exact cause
- Calls grow to modernize military equipment
BOGOTÁ, Colombia: A tragic military aviation disaster struck southern Colombia early Monday when a Colombian Air Force transport plane crashed shortly after takeoff, killing at least 66 people and leaving dozens injured.
The aircraft, identified as a C-130 Hercules, was carrying 125 individuals—including soldiers, aircrew, and police personnel—when it went down near Puerto Leguízamo, a remote region close to the borders with Ecuador and Peru.
The crash scattered burning debris across dense jungle terrain, complicating rescue and recovery operations, according to AFP.
According to military sources, the death toll includes 58 soldiers, six air force crew members, and two police officers. Initial reports had placed the number of fatalities lower, but officials later revised the figures as rescue teams gained access to the crash site.
Local authorities confirmed that emergency teams are working under difficult conditions to evacuate survivors and recover bodies.
The region’s limited infrastructure and the small size of the nearby airport have slowed down response efforts. Putumayo Governor Jhon Gabriel Molina noted that logistical challenges are significantly hindering operations.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene. A local farmer reported hearing a loud explosion moments before seeing the aircraft flying unusually low, followed by its sudden descent.
Images from the crash site show thick smoke rising above the jungle canopy, with civilians and responders navigating the wreckage, including the aircraft’s tail marked “FAC 1016.”
Colombia’s Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed profound sorrow over the incident, calling it a national tragedy. He emphasized that it is too early to determine the cause of the crash, adding that a full investigation is underway.
President Gustavo Petro also reacted to the disaster, labeling it a “horrific accident.” He underscored the importance of modernizing Colombia’s military equipment, though he stopped short of linking the crash directly to mechanical failure.
The ill-fated flight was en route from Puerto Leguízamo to a nearby Amazonian military outpost, an area that has recently seen intensified military operations targeting drug trafficking networks and armed groups.
This incident marks the second crash involving a C-130 Hercules aircraft in South America within a month. A similar accident in Bolivia in late February claimed at least 24 lives.
The C-130 Hercules, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is widely used by armed forces around the world due to its ability to operate in rugged and remote environments.
Despite its reliability record, the latest tragedy has raised renewed concerns over operational safety in challenging terrains. Authorities continue rescue operations while investigators work to determine the exact cause of the crash.
