Colombia’s Ministry of Defense said on Monday (local time) that a Hercules C-130, a Lockheed Martin aircraft, was involved in an accident in the south of the country, local server BluRadio reported, adding that 110 soldiers were on board.
At least 20 uniformed officers were rescued alive, according to a preliminary report by authorities.
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The President, the Minister of Defense express their condolences
Perdo Sanchez, the defense minister, said the tragedy occurred as the plane took off from Puerto Leguizamo, deep in the southern Amazon on the border with Peru, while transporting troops.
He added that the cause of the collision and the exact number of victims have not yet been determined. BluRadio quoted officials as saying that 110 soldiers were on board, adding that the crash occurred nearly three kilometers from the city center.
Citing authorities, the report said they are currently maintaining a security perimeter and coordinating rescue efforts and medical assistance for any victims.
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In a post on X, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said: “I hope there were no deaths in this terrible accident that should never have happened.”
Slamming bureaucratic hurdles delaying his plans to modernize the military, Petro said: “I will not grant any more delays; the lives of our young people are at stake. If civil or military administrative officials do not rise to the challenge, they must be removed.”
The National Army will issue a report soon
The situation remains critical, the national army is due to issue an official report in the coming hours outlining the number of casualties, injuries and the preliminary cause of the incident. Search and rescue efforts have been stepped up and specialist teams have been deployed across the area.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said via social media that military personnel were already on the scene, although authorities had not yet determined the exact number of casualties or the cause of the accident.
He added that all measures to help the victims and their families have been initiated along with a formal investigation. He also expressed his condolences to those affected and urged the public to refrain from speculation until verified details are released.
About Hercules C-130 aircraft
The Hercules C-130 aircraft was first introduced in the 1950s, with Columbia acquiring its initial fleet in the late 1960s. In recent years, the country has upgraded some of its older C-130s by incorporating newer versions supplied by the United States under a program that facilitates the transfer of surplus military equipment.
Authorities have not yet released specific details about the planes involved in the latest crash.
In a separate incident in late February, another Hercules C-130 operated by the Bolivian Air Force crashed in the densely populated city of El Alto, narrowly avoiding a residential area.
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The accident left more than 20 dead and about 30 injured. The money carried on board was scattered across the city, sparking clashes between residents and security personnel.
