Bogota: A tragic military plane crash in southern Colombia has left at least 66 people dead and many others injured, making it one of the country’s worst air disasters in recent years.
The aircraft, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, went down shortly after takeoff on March 23 near Puerto Leguizamo, a remote area close to the Peru border. The plane was carrying more than 120 people, including army soldiers, air force personnel and police officers.
Early reports had suggested around 110 soldiers were on board, but updated figures confirmed a higher number of passengers. Officials said dozens survived the crash, though many of them were seriously injured and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Some people are still missing as rescue teams continue search operations in the dense jungle.
Witnesses and initial findings suggest the aircraft may have struck an object near the runway during takeoff. Reports indicate that a wing could have hit a tree before the plane crashed and caught fire, followed by explosions. Authorities have said there is no indication of an attack and that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause.
The crash site’s remote location made rescue efforts difficult. Local residents were among the first to respond, helping injured passengers reach medical care, sometimes using motorcycles before emergency teams arrived.
President Gustavo Petro described the incident as a painful tragedy and raised concerns about the condition of the country’s military aircraft. He noted that delays in upgrading aging equipment may have contributed to the situation and called for a thorough investigation.
The disaster has shocked the nation and raised fresh questions about safety standards and the need to modernize Colombia’s military fleet.