Scores killed as Colombian military plane crashes on takeoff
At least 69 individuals lost their lives in Colombian military plane crash
A Colombian military transport plane crashed during takeoff in the country’s southern region, resulting in 69 fatalities and 57 injuries, as confirmed by the armed forces. The C-130 Hercules aircraft disintegrated upon impact and ignited a fire near Puerto Leguízamo, a town in the Putumayo area that shares a border with Peru.
Details on the passengers and crash investigation
Of the 126 people aboard, 113 were active military personnel, two were police officers, and 11 were part of the flight crew. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the cause of the crash remains under investigation, emphasizing there is no evidence pointing to a deliberate attack by criminal groups. He noted the plane was in proper working condition and that the crew had all the necessary qualifications.
“The crash ‘should never have happened,’” said Colombian President Gustavo Petro, reflecting on the lack of modernization in the armed forces due to bureaucratic challenges.
Visual evidence and immediate aftermath
CNN’s geolocated video footage captures the plane departing Caucaya Airport and soaring over rural terrain shortly before the incident. The clip reveals the crash occurred within a short distance of the airport, less than two miles away. On-site images show dense smoke and intense flames engulfing the wreckage.
Nicolas Ordoñez, an indigenous ranger participating in search and rescue efforts, reported that multiple survivors were transported to a local hospital. Some injured soldiers were later evacuated to Bogotá for medical care. Sánchez extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
Plane’s history and recent incidents
The aircraft involved was a C-130H Hercules, an earlier variant of the C-130 series that entered service in March 1965. It was donated by the US Air Force to the Colombian military in September 2020. Despite its age, the C-130 is known for its ability to operate in challenging environments. This incident marks the latest in a series of fatal crashes affecting Colombia’s aviation sector.
Earlier in January, another plane crash occurred near Cúcuta in the northeast, killing all 126 individuals on board—including congressman Diógenes Quintero—just nine minutes after takeoff. The story has been updated with contributions from CNN’s Stefano Pozzebon, Avery Schmitz, and Ivonne Valdés.
