Colombia plane crash kills dozens
Military transport disaster leaves scores dead, probe underway
A Colombian military transport plane crashed during takeoff in Puerto Leguízamo on the country’s southern border, killing 66 people and leaving four unaccounted for as rescuers moved dozens of survivors to nearby hospitals, officials said. The Lockheed Martin-built C-130 Hercules was carrying 128 people — 11 Air Force members, 115 army personnel and two national police officers — when it impacted near the end of the runway, struck vegetation and caught fire, witnesses and first responders reported. Early rescue efforts were led by local residents, with military vehicles later reaching a crash site described as difficult to access, complicating recovery work.
Armed Forces chief Hugo Alejandro López confirmed the toll and said the dead were being identified. Authorities had earlier reported a lower casualty figure; the updated count nearly doubled previous estimates as search operations continued. Firefighters at the scene said explosions were heard after the aircraft ignited, and investigators are examining whether mechanical failure, operational error or environmental factors contributed to the accident.
The government declared emergency response measures and mobilized medical and forensic teams to assist survivors and the families of victims. President Gustavo Petro criticized bureaucratic barriers that have delayed modernization plans for the armed forces, while a Lockheed Martin spokesperson said the company stood ready to assist Colombia’s investigation. Military officials noted that C-130 Hercules aircraft, in service worldwide since the 1950s and long used by Colombia for troop transport amid the country’s prolonged internal conflict, have been subject to modernization efforts including transfers of updated airframes.
Authorities warned the death toll could change as recovery continues in challenging terrain. Investigators are collecting flight and maintenance records and interviewing witnesses to determine the cause, and officials pledged a full inquiry and reviews of safety protocols. Local communities have mobilized support for affected families, and national leaders expressed condolences as the country awaits further details from the ongoing investigation.
