Colombia Plane Crash: 34 Dead in Amazonian Putumayo Region

At least 34 people died after a Colombian military plane crashed shortly after takeoff in the southwestern province of Putumayo, officials confirmed Tuesday. The Lockheed Martin-built Hercules C-130 aircraft, carrying 125 people, went down near Puerto Leguizamo, a remote municipality bordering Peru and Ecuador, according to Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Governor of Putumayo, Jhon Gabriel Molina, reported to local news outlet Caracol Noticias that 34 fatalities have been confirmed, with the identities of 21 individuals still pending verification.

Minister Sánchez stated via X that the “tragic accident” occurred approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) from the departure point. He added that ammunition on board detonated following a fire on the aircraft. Sánchez as well confirmed, according to reports on Facebook from La Razon Co, that an attack by illegal armed groups was not indicated as a cause of the crash.

The air force indicated the C-130 was transporting soldiers to another city within the Putumayo province. Carlos Fernando Silva, commander of Colombia’s Air Force, stated that two planes equipped with 74 beds have been dispatched to transport injured individuals to hospitals in Bogotá and other locations.

Colombia first acquired Hercules C-130 planes in the late 1960s, and has since modernized portions of its fleet with newer models provided by the United States. The crash follows a similar incident last month in Bolivia, where a Hercules C-130 belonging to the Bolivian Air Force crashed in El Alto, resulting in over 20 deaths and 30 injuries.

Minister Sánchez released a six-point statement via Instagram confirming the aircraft was in airworthy condition prior to the incident.

Miroslav Jenca, expressed solidarity with those affected by the crash via X, offering condolences and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.