At least 66 killed in Colombian military plane crash, head of armed forces says

(SeaPRwire) –   Colombia’s armed forces chief reported that a military transport aircraft carrying 128 individuals—most of whom were soldiers—crashed shortly after departing Puerto Leguizamo on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 66 people and leaving dozens more injured.

General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto stated that four military staff members remained unaccounted for.

“Unfortunately, 66 of our military personnel lost their lives as a result of this devastating incident,” he commented.

“Right now, we have no data or clues suggesting that the crash was caused by an attack from an unauthorized armed organization,” Barreto further noted.

Deputy Mayor Carlos Claros, in a social media video, mentioned that the victims’ bodies were transported to the small town’s morgue, and the town’s only two clinics provided care to the injured prior to their being airlifted to bigger cities. Puerto Leguizamo is situated in Putumayo, an Amazonian region adjacent to Ecuador and Peru.

“I wish to express my gratitude to the residents of Puerto Leguizamo who stepped forward to assist the accident victims,” Claros told Colombia’s RCN TV channel.

Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez stated on X that the aircraft which crashed Monday was moving troops to another city within Putumayo.

Photos circulated online by Colombian media organizations depicted a dark smoke plume rising from the field where the plane went down, along with a truck carrying soldiers hurrying to the scene.

On board the aircraft were 128 people: 115 from the Army, 11 crew members, and two from the national police. Barreto reported that 57 individuals were rescued.

Media outlets posted videos showing soldiers being transported away from the crash site on motorcycles operated by local residents, while another group of locals attempted to extinguish the fire that the crash had sparked in a field surrounded by thick vegetation.

Carlos Fernando Silva, Colombia’s air force commander, noted that details about the crash were still unclear, “other than the fact that the plane experienced an issue and crashed approximately two kilometers from the airport.”

The air force chief further stated that two aircraft equipped with 74 beds were dispatched to the area to fly the injured to hospitals in Bogota, the capital, and other locations.

President Gustavo Petro used the accident to advocate for his long-standing initiative to update the military’s planes and other equipment, stating that these efforts have been hindered by “bureaucratic obstacles” and implying that certain officials should be held responsible.

“If civilian or military administrative officials are unable to meet the demands of their roles, they must be replaced,” Petro declared.

Critics of the president highlighted that under the Petro administration, military planes have had reduced flight time because of budget cuts, resulting in less experienced flight crews.

Erich Saumeth, a Colombian aviation specialist and military analyst, mentioned that the Hercules C-130 that crashed Monday was gifted to Colombia by the U.S. in 2020. Three years later, it underwent a major maintenance check, during which its engines were examined and critical parts were replaced.

“I don’t believe this plane crashed due to a shortage of quality parts,” Saumeth stated. He added that investigations will need to find out why the four-propeller Hercules’ engines failed so soon after takeoff.

In an X post on Monday, Defense Minister Sánchez noted that there were no indications so far that the plane was targeted by rebel groups active near Puerto Leguizamo.

Sánchez wrote that the accident was “deeply distressing for the nation,” adding, “We hope our prayers can ease some of the suffering.”