A Hercules C-130 plane, a key piece for troop transport in the South American country, crashed shortly after taking off from Puerto Leguízamo airport in the Putumayo department, in the south of the country. The incident has triggered alarms for emergency services and the national government.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez Suárez confirmed the news through official channels, although the final death toll remains uncertain. In a message filled with sorrow, the minister stated: "With deep sorrow, I inform that a Hercules plane from our @FuerzaAereaCol suffered a tragic accident while taking off from Puerto Leguízamo (Putumayo), carrying troops from the Public Force." Despite the seriousness of the situation, authorities are cautious regarding human losses.
Sánchez Suárez clarified that "The number of victims and the causes of the crash have not been precisely determined yet," although local media in the area reported that approximately 110 soldiers were on board the aircraft. The crash site presents a devastating scene. Videos recorded by local residents and quickly shared on social media show a dense column of black smoke and wreckage scattered on the ground. Military units and various relief agencies have been mobilized in response.
The Colombian Civil Defense reported that its volunteers, "in coordination with other relief agencies, are moving and providing support in the emergency," working closely with the military already on the ground conducting initial rescue and search operations for survivors. Specific protocols have been activated to assist the families of the personnel on the flight.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his dismay over the incident through his social media account X. The president expressed hope that the consequences are not fatal: "I hope we do not have fatalities in this horrible accident that should not have happened." It is worth noting that the Hercules C-130 model involved in the accident is widely used globally for its robustness and capacity, capable of transporting around a hundred passengers with all their military equipment, weapons, and ammunition. A thorough technical investigation is currently underway to determine the possible failures that led to the aircraft crashing shortly after takeoff.