A Colombian military transport aircraft carrying more than 100 soldiers has crashed in the south of the country, the defence ministry has confirmed, with the country’s president expressing hope that there were no fatalities.
The aircraft, reported to be a Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130, came down near the town of Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo province, close to the Colombian-Peruvian border. Local radio reported that 110 soldiers were on board at the time of the incident.
Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed the plane had suffered “a tragic accident while it was taking off from Puerto Leguízamo, transporting troops of our security forces.” He did not provide figures on casualties but described the crash as “deeply sad for the country.”
President Gustavo Petro addressed the incident on X, writing: “I hope there are no fatalities in this horrific accident that should never have happened.” He used the occasion to renew criticism of what he described as bureaucratic obstacles that had delayed his plans to modernise Colombia’s military, warning that officials failing to meet the challenge “must be removed” and stating that further delays would not be tolerated. “It is the lives of our young people that are at stake,” he wrote.
The full extent of casualties has not yet been confirmed by authorities. Further details are expected as the emergency response at the crash site continues.
