A Colombian Air Force transport aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff in southern Colombia on Monday, killing at least 66 people and injuring dozens more, officials confirmed.
Air Force Commander Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda said 114 army personnel and 11 crew members were on board the US-made C-130 Hercules, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, at the time of the accident.
The aircraft went down near the town of Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo province, close to the border with Peru.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, combing through the wreckage for survivors as authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez described the incident as “a tragic accident” occurring during takeoff with troops of the country’s security forces on board.
He revealed that ammunition being transported on the plane detonated following a fire, worsening the disaster.
Military sources reported that the deceased included 58 soldiers, six air force personnel, and two police officers, while other accounts confirmed a total of 66 fatalities.
The crash ranks among the deadliest involving the Colombian Air Force in recent history.
Images shared by local media showed thick smoke rising from the site, with military vehicles and rescue teams rushing to the area.
Footage also captured residents assisting in transporting injured victims to hospitals, using motorbikes in some cases.
President Gustavo Petro described the tragedy as a “horrendous accident” on X, adding that it “should not have happened.”
He cited delays in modernising military equipment due to bureaucratic hurdles and warned that such setbacks endanger service personnel.
“I will allow no further delays; the lives of our young people are at stake,” the president said, though he did not provide specific details on the cause of the crash.
