Colombian Military Transport Plane Crashes On Takeoff In Putumayo, Killing At Least Eight

Colombian military transport plane crashes on takeoff in Putumayo, killing at least eight At least eight people have been killed and 83 others injured after a Colombian military transport plane crashed on takeoff in the southern department of Putumayo, regional authorities said on Tuesday.

The aircraft a Lockheed C‑130 Hercules transport plane operated by the Colombian Air Force came down shortly after departure from Puerto Leguízamo Airport, according to Governor Jhon Gabriel Molina. The Hercules aircraft was carrying around 125 people on board, including military personnel and crew, when the crash occurred in a remote area near the airport on Monday morning. Rescue teams, including military units and local emergency workers, were dispatched to the scene amid difficult terrain. Authorities confirmed eight fatalities so far, with 83 people injured, including several in critical condition. Many of the wounded were transported to hospitals in the region for urgent care. Governor Molina said rescue operations are ongoing and investigators have been sent to determine the cause of the accident. It remains unclear what exactly caused the plane to crash, and officials have not ruled out mechanical failure. Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez offered condolences to the families of the victims and pledged that all necessary support is being provided to the injured. Military personnel continued efforts at the site as questions mount about the safety and condition of aging aircraft in the armed forces. President Gustavo Petro described the crash as a tragedy, lamenting Colombia’s struggle to modernise its military fleet and vowing that responsible authorities would face accountability for any failures that contributed to the incident. The C‑130 Hercules is a long‑serving military transport aircraft used globally for troop and equipment movements. Colombia’s Air Force has operated various Hercules models for decades, transporting personnel across the country’s diverse and challenging geography.

Putumayo, a department bordering Peru and Ecuador, is generally isolated with dense jungle terrain, which has historically posed logistical challenges for military and civilian operations. The crash underscores concerns about the safety and maintenance of older aircraft in the Colombian military fleet.