66 dead after military plane crashes shortly after takeoff

At least 66 people were killed and dozens were injured when a Colombian military plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Putumayo province on Monday morning. PEOPLE.

The C-130 Hercules aircraft crashed at around 09:54 local time after leaving Puerto Leguízamo. newsletter.

There were 128 people on the plane, including 115 soldiers, 11 crew and 2 national police. Associated Press.

Colombian armed forces commander Hugo Alejandro López Barreto confirmed the death toll and said that 57 people were evacuated from the scene and four military personnel were missing.

“Unfortunately, 66 of our military elements lost their lives as a result of this tragic accident,” Barreto said, according to the AP. “We currently have no information or indication that this was carried out by an illegal armed group.”

Pedro Sánchez confirmed the accident in a post on X.

“With deep sadness, I report that a Hercules aircraft belonging to our @FuerzaAereaCol suffered a tragic accident while taking off from Puerto Leguízamo (Putumayo) while carrying troops from our Public Forces,” he wrote.

The Colombian Air Force identified six of its members among the dead.

Carlos Fernando Silva said the plane “had a problem and crashed about two kilometers from the airport,” according to the AP.

The cause of the accident is being investigated.

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