In brief
A Colombian military C-130 Hercules aircraft crashed during takeoff from Puerto Leguízamo, leaving at least eight dead and over 80 injured. The plane was transporting 114 army personnel when it went down in Putumayo province. Emergency services are currently searching for survivors amidst the wreckage. President Gustavo Petro has expressed deep concern over the tragedy, emphasizing the need for modernization of military equipment to prevent such incidents in the future.
A Colombian Air Force plane has crashed in the south of the country, leaving at least eight people dead. Air Force commander Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda stated that there were 114 army personnel aboard along with 11 crew members. Reports indicate that 48 individuals were rescued from the wreckage and are currently receiving medical treatment in hospital.Regional governor Jhon Gabriel Molina reported that, in addition to the confirmed fatalities, over 80 individuals sustained injuries in the incident that occurred on Monday. The US-made C-130 Hercules aircraft was departing from Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo province when it crashed.Emergency responders were promptly dispatched to the crash site, searching the wreckage for additional survivors. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez described the event as a tragic accident during the transport of troops. Expressing national sorrow, he emphasized the need for further investigation into the unfortunate event's circumstances.Images from the site depict thick smoke rising into the air, and local media have reported efforts by nearby residents to assist those injured by providing transportation to medical facilities.President Gustavo Petro has publicly condemned the tragedy on social media, highlighting the importance of addressing bureaucratic issues that have delayed modernization of the military's equipment. He stressed that further delays would not be tolerated, as the lives of service members are at stake. This incident follows a similar tragedy last month in Bolivia when a military C-130 also crashed, resulting in multiple casualties.
