A Colombian military transport aircraft has crashed shortly after takeoff in the country’s southern Amazon region, killing at least dozens of personnel, with the death toll now rising to as high as 66 as search and rescue operations continue.
The aircraft, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules operated by the Colombian Air Force, went down on Monday near Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo province, close to the borders with Ecuador and Peru. It was carrying more than 120 people, most of them military personnel.
Initial reports suggested at least 34 fatalities, but officials later confirmed that the number of deaths had increased significantly as recovery efforts progressed. Colombia’s armed forces chief said at least 66 people have now been confirmed dead, with several others injured and at least four still missing.
Authorities say the plane crashed just minutes after takeoff, landing roughly one to two kilometres from the airport. The wreckage scattered across dense jungle terrain, complicating rescue operations and delaying access for emergency responders.
Residents were among the first to arrive at the crash site, helping to pull survivors from the debris before military rescue teams took over. Injured victims were initially treated in nearby clinics before being airlifted to larger hospitals in other parts of the country.
While the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, officials have ruled out an attack by armed groups. Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft may have encountered a technical issue shortly after departure.
The tragedy has sparked renewed concerns over the condition of Colombia’s aging military fleet, with calls for urgent upgrades and accountability from government officials.
Search and recovery efforts are ongoing as authorities work to account for all passengers and determine the cause of one of the deadliest military aviation disasters in the country’s recent history.
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