Colombia Plane Crash: Military Transport Aircraft Down, Injuries Reported
A Colombian military transport plane carrying 121 people, including 110 soldiers and 11 crew members, crashed shortly after takeoff Monday in Puerto Leguizamo, a remote municipality in the Amazonian province of Putumayo, officials said. At least one person was killed and 77 were injured in the accident, according to statements from the military and President Gustavo Petro.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez reported the “tragic accident” on X, formerly known as Twitter and confirmed rescue teams were dispatched to the crash site. Images circulating in Colombian media showed a plume of black smoke rising from a field and military personnel rushing to the scene. The air force stated that 77 individuals were rescued with injuries and are receiving medical attention.
The aircraft, a Hercules C-130, was transporting troops to another city within Putumayo province, according to the air force. Initial reports indicated 125 people were on board, but the number was later revised to 121.
Witnesses shared videos depicting soldiers being transported from the crash site on motorcycles driven by local residents, highlighting the remote location and the immediate response from the community.
Air Force Commander Carlos Fernando Silva stated that the cause of the crash remains unknown, noting only that “the plane had a problem and went down about two kilometers from the airport.” Two planes equipped with 74 beds have been deployed to evacuate the injured to hospitals in Bogotá and other locations, Silva added.
President Petro used the incident to advocate for the modernization of Colombia’s military equipment, a campaign he claims has been hampered by “bureaucratic difficulties.” He suggested accountability for officials who have impeded these efforts, stating, “If civilian or military administrative officials are not up to the challenge, they must be removed.”
Critics of the president pointed to recent budget cuts that have reduced flight hours for aircraft, potentially impacting crew experience. However, aviation expert Erich Saumeth indicated the specific Hercules C-130 involved in Monday’s crash had been donated by the United States in 2020 and underwent a major overhaul three years later, including engine inspection and component replacement. “I don’t think this plane crashed because of a lack of good parts,” Saumeth said, emphasizing that investigations will focus on the cause of the engine failure shortly after takeoff.
Defense Minister Sánchez stated there were no initial indications of an attack by rebel groups operating in the area near Puerto Leguizamo. He described the accident as “profoundly painful for the country,” and expressed hope that prayers would offer some solace to those affected.