A Colombian military plane carrying 125 people crashed shortly after takeoff in the southern Amazon region, killing at least one person and injuring dozens more. The Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 aircraft was transporting troops from Puerto Leguizamo when it went down just two miles from a busy urban center.
Key Takeaways
A Colombian military plane carrying 125 people crashed shortly after takeoff in Puerto Leguizamo, killing at least one person and injuring dozens more. The Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 aircraft was transporting troops from Puerto Leguizamo when it went down just two miles from a busy urban center.
- At least 66 killed according to armed forces head
- Four military personnel still missing
- No indication of attack by illegal armed group
- 77 people rescued with injuries
- Plane was transporting 110 soldiers
The exact number of fatalities remains uncertain, with reports ranging widely. According to the head of Colombia's armed forces General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto, at least 66 people were killed and dozens injured in the crash. President Gustavo Petro confirmed at least one death in a post on X, while other sources reported casualties as high as 77 people. The governor of Putumayo region confirmed the number to be around 34.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto stated that there was no information or indications suggesting an attack by an illegal armed group. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez described it as a 'tragic accident' and urged everyone to avoid speculation until official information becomes available. The crash site was quickly reached by emergency responders, who are assisting in rescue efforts.
According to Deputy Mayor Carlos Claros, the bodies of the victims were taken to Puerto Leguizamo's morgue and treated at two clinics before being flown to larger cities. He also thanked the people of Puerto Leguizamo for coming out to help the victims of this accident.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 6 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.