A military transport plane carrying 128 people, mostly soldiers, crashed shortly after taking off on Monday in Puerto Leguizamo, Colombia, killing at least 66 people and leaving dozens more injured. The tragedy occurred in the Putumayo region, which borders Ecuador and Peru.
Details of the Crash and Casualties
According to General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto, the head of Colombia’s armed forces, four military personnel are still missing, and the crash has resulted in a devastating loss of life.
“Sadly, 66 of our military personnel died,” Barreto confirmed. He added that there were no immediate signs or evidence suggesting the crash was caused by an attack from an illegal armed group.
Emergency Response
In the aftermath of the crash, emergency services and local residents rushed to the scene. Deputy Mayor Carlos Claros reported that the victims’ bodies were transported to the morgue in the small town, and the injured were treated at the only two local clinics before being flown to larger hospitals in nearby cities.
Puerto Leguizamo, an Amazonian town in Putumayo, has limited medical facilities, but the community’s response was quick and crucial.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the plane had been on a mission to transport troops within the Putumayo region.
Crash Site and Investigation
Photos from the scene showed a black cloud of smoke rising from a field where the plane went down. The plane had 128 people on board, including 115 soldiers, 11 crew members, and 2 National Police officers.
57 people were evacuated, with some being transported from the scene on motorcycles by local residents. Emergency crews attempted to contain the fire caused by the crash in a dense area surrounded by foliage.
Carlos Fernando Silva, the commander of Colombia’s air force, stated that the crash occurred around two kilometers from the airport, and details about the cause are still unclear.
However, investigations are underway to determine why the Hercules C-130, which had recently undergone an overhaul, failed shortly after takeoff.
Political Reactions and Criticisms
Colombian President Gustavo Petro used the incident to push for the modernization of the country’s military aircraft and equipment, a campaign he has advocated for in the past.
He criticized bureaucratic delays that have hindered such efforts and suggested that certain officials should be held accountable for failing to meet the country’s defense needs.
However, some critics pointed out that budget cuts under Petro’s administration have resulted in fewer flight hours for military aircraft, leading to concerns about less experienced crews.
Erich Saumeth, a military aviation expert, commented that the Hercules C-130 had undergone a thorough inspection just three years ago, which made it unlikely that the crash was due to mechanical failures from poor parts. The investigation will focus on the engine failure that led to the crash.
Ongoing Investigation and Support
Defense Minister Sánchez emphasized that there were no indications that the plane had been attacked by rebel groups in the area.
The incident has deeply saddened the country, with Sánchez expressing his condolences, saying the accident was “profoundly painful for the country” and offering hope that prayers would bring some comfort.
