A Colombian military aircraft crashed in the Amazon rainforest just minutes after takeoff on Monday night, resulting in a tragic loss of life. The C-130 Hercules had departed from the military base at Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo Province, carrying more than 120 soldiers and staff who were en route to assist forces stationed near the Peruvian border. Authorities estimate that at least 80 personnel may have died in the incident.
The crash occurred approximately three kilometers from the runway, when a technical malfunction reportedly caused the plane to catch fire and plunge into the dense forest. The intense flames and thick smoke delayed rescue operations, complicating immediate response efforts. Local military teams rushed to the scene, but the terrain and fire made access difficult.
BREAKING 🇨🇴🇵🇪: A Colombian Military C-130 Plane Crashed during Takeoff in the Amazon near Peru
There were about 110 soldiers were on board. The number of casualties and cause are still unknown.
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Approximately 30 to 40 survivors with serious injuries were transported to nearby hospitals, with several reported to be in critical condition. The majority of the passengers on board were soldiers, with 11 additional staff members accompanying them. Authorities are continuing to account for all personnel and assess the full scale of the tragedy.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed profound grief over the incident, calling it “one of the country’s most tragic days.” He criticized delays in modernizing military aircraft as a contributing factor and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased via social media. President Petro emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the victims’ families and ensuring a thorough investigation.
The Colombian government has ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the exact cause of the crash. Officials are examining whether adverse weather conditions or mechanical failure triggered the accident. Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that, while the region experiences rebel activity, preliminary findings suggest the crash was due to a technical fault. The dense Amazon terrain has made recovery efforts challenging, as military teams work to retrieve bodies and evacuate the injured safely.