Colombian military plane crash kills dozens after takeoff

Colombia: (Web Desk) – A military aircraft crash in southern Colombia has left at least 66 people dead and many others injured, officials confirmed on Monday. The plane, carrying over 120 personnel, went down shortly after takeoff, turning the area into a scene of devastation.

The aircraft, identified as a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, crashed moments after departing from Puerto Leguizamo, a town near the borders with Ecuador and Peru. Witnesses reported seeing flames and debris scattered across the jungle as the wreckage burned.

According to military sources, the victims included dozens of soldiers, along with air force personnel and police officers. Initial reports had placed the death toll much lower, but the number rose as rescue teams reached the crash site and assessed the damage. Many survivors were injured and are being treated or evacuated under difficult conditions.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the disaster. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed deep grief, calling the incident a national tragedy, while noting that it was too early to draw conclusions.

The plane had been transporting troops to an outpost in the Amazon region, an area that has recently seen intensified military operations against drug trafficking groups and armed militias. Local officials said the remote location and limited airport infrastructure have complicated rescue and recovery efforts.

Residents near the crash site described hearing a loud explosion before seeing the aircraft descend rapidly. One farmer recounted how the plane flew unusually low before crashing nearby.

President Gustavo Petro described the event as a “horrific accident” and stressed the importance of upgrading the country’s military equipment, though he did not directly attribute the crash to mechanical failure.

The tragedy comes just weeks after another Lockheed C-130 Hercules crash in South America, raising concerns despite the aircraft’s long-standing reputation for reliability and ability to operate in challenging environments.