Quick Read
- A Colombian Air Force C-130 Hercules military plane crashed on takeoff in Puerto Leguízamo.
- The aircraft was carrying 11 air force members and 114 soldiers; scores are feared dead.
- President Petro cited “bureaucratic difficulties” hindering military fleet renewal following the tragedy.
PUERTO LEGÍZAMOO (Azat TV) – Scores of Colombian soldiers are feared dead after a military transport plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Leguízamo in the country’s southern Amazon region. The Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 aircraft was carrying 11 air force members and 114 soldiers when it went down on Monday.
Military Plane Crash in Colombia’s Amazon
The accident occurred in Puerto Leguízamo, a remote municipality in the Putumayo department bordering Peru. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed the crash happened as the C-130 Hercules was taking off, transporting troops. Images shared online showed thick black smoke and flames rising from the wreckage, with emergency services rushing to the scene. Local indigenous ranger Nicolas Ordoñez told CNN that survivors had been taken to a local hospital.
Rescue Efforts and Casualties
Maj Gen Carlos Fernando Silva, chief of the Colombian air force, stated that 48 injured individuals had been rescued. However, the exact number of survivors and fatalities remains unclear, with the status of more than 40 people unknown, according to President Gustavo Petro. Defense Minister Sánchez expressed the profound pain the event has caused the nation and offered prayers for relief.
Presidential Response and Fleet Concerns
President Gustavo Petro described the crash as a “horrific accident that should never have happened.” He also highlighted ongoing efforts to renew the military fleet, citing “bureaucratic difficulties” that have hindered progress. Petro suggested that any civil or military administrative officials not meeting the challenge should be removed. Leading presidential candidates, ahead of the first round of elections in late May, also issued messages of mourning and called for thorough investigations into the causes of the crash.
Aircraft Background and Investigation
The C-130H Hercules involved in the crash is an older model, with its first service entry in March 1965, according to manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The aircraft had been donated to the Colombian Air Force by the U.S. Air Force in September 2020. While C-130 cargo planes are known for their capability to operate in remote and adverse conditions, the cause of this specific accident has not yet been determined. Defense Minister Sánchez stated there is no indication of an attack by criminal groups. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
The crash of the C-130 Hercules highlights persistent concerns regarding the aging military fleet and the challenges in modernization, particularly in light of President Petro’s own remarks about bureaucratic hurdles.