PUERTO LEGUIZAMO - At least 66 people were killed and dozens more injured after a Colombian Air Force Lockheed C 130 Hercules military transport plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Leguízamo in the southern Amazon region near the Colombia–Peru border, military officials said.
The aircraft — carrying 128 people including army personnel, air force crew, and national police — was en route from Puerto Leguízamo to Puerto Asís when it lost altitude and crashed into dense jungle shortly after departure. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the remote crash site to assist survivors and recover the deceased.
Officials confirmed that 57 survivors were hospitalized, with some in critical condition, and four people remain missing as search and rescue operations continued. The remote location and rugged terrain posed challenges for emergency response teams.
Eyewitnesses in the area reported seeing a plume of smoke rising from the crash site, while images shared by local media showed rescue vehicles and soldiers advancing toward the wreckage.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro described the tragedy as a devastating loss for the nation and pledged a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Authorities have ruled out hostile attack, with early assessments suggesting possible technical or operational issues during takeoff.
The C 130 Hercules aircraft, a mainstay of military transport operations, was part of ongoing troop movements in the region. The disaster is among the deadliest aviation accidents in the history of the Colombian Air Force, prompting national mourning and a re examination of aircraft maintenance and safety protocols.
Officials continue to coordinate with medical teams to treat the injured and support families of the victims as investigations into the precise cause of the crash advance.
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