Bogotá (Colombia) – According to media reports, significantly more people died when a military plane crashed in southern Colombia on Monday than previously known. According to authorities, at least 66 people died. 81 injured people were taken to various hospitals, it was said on Tuesday.
The Colombian Air Force confirmed on X that a C-130 Hercules aircraft had crashed. According to the governor, most of the 125 passengers were soldiers, and there were also some police officers on board.
125 Colombian soldiers on board: Army plane crashes into the jungle
Plane crashes shortly after takeoff
The Plane crash is said to have occurred shortly after takeoff from the remote community of Puerto Leguízamo in the southern province of Putumayo. The area is close to the border with Ecuador.
Military and emergency services at the crash site
President laments old military fleet
Numerous videos can be seen on X that show a cloud of black smoke and sometimes flames in the jungle. In some recordings you can hear noises as if small ammunition was detonating.
President Gustavo Petro (65) spoke at X of a “terrible accident that should not have happened”. He pointed to the need to modernize the military fleet. A video showed the plane attempting to gain altitude before plummeting to the ground.