A Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft has crashed in Colombia. The plane was carrying personnel from the National Army at the time of the incident.
How many people were on board?
According to the head of the country’s Air Force, Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda, there were 114 passengers and 11 crew members on board the aircraft.
What is known about survivors and the missing?
Officials report that at least 48 people survived the crash. However, the fate of many others remains unclear. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
What did the president say?
Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, wrote on the social platform X that 77 people had been taken to hospitals, while another 43 individuals are still missing.
Where did the crash happen?
The حادث occurred in the southern region of Putumayo, in the municipality of Puerto Leguízamo. The aircraft went down about two kilometers from the airport shortly after takeoff. The cause of the crash remains unknown.
What are the reported casualty figures?
The governor of Putumayo stated that at least 34 people have died. Meanwhile, AFP, citing military sources, reported that the death toll could be as high as 66. Among them were 58 soldiers, six Air Force personnel, and two police officers.
How were rescue operations conducted?
A Colombian Navy base is located in Puerto Leguízamo, which allowed military units to reach the crash site quickly and provide medical assistance to the injured.
What is known about the aircraft?
According to El Heraldo, the aircraft had been gifted to Colombia by the United States and was delivered to the country in 2020.