Tragic Plane Crash in Colombia Claims Lives of 66 Soldiers: What Happened?
Military Aircraft Disaster in Puerto Leguizamo
In a devastating incident, a military transport aircraft carrying 128 individuals, primarily soldiers, crashed shortly after takeoff in Puerto Leguizamo, Colombia, resulting in the deaths of at least 66 people and leaving many others injured, according to the head of Colombia's armed forces.
General Hugo Alejandro Lopez Barreto confirmed that four military personnel remain unaccounted for.
He expressed sorrow over the loss, stating, "Sadly, as a consequence of this tragic accident, 66 of our military elements died."
Barreto also noted that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the crash was caused by an attack from illegal armed groups.
Deputy Mayor Carlos Claros shared on social media that the victims' bodies were transported to the local morgue, while the town's two clinics provided initial treatment to the injured before they were transferred to larger medical facilities.
Puerto Leguizamo is situated in Putumayo, an Amazonian province that shares borders with Ecuador and Peru.
Claros expressed gratitude towards the residents of Puerto Leguizamo for their assistance to the victims of the crash during an interview with a Colombian television station.
Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez revealed on X that the aircraft was en route to another city within Putumayo when the incident occurred.
Images circulating on social media depicted a thick plume of smoke rising from the crash site, with military trucks rushing to the scene.
The aircraft included 115 Army personnel, 11 crew members, and 2 from the National Police, with 57 individuals successfully evacuated.
Videos showed local residents using motorcycles to transport soldiers from the crash site, while others attempted to extinguish the fire ignited by the wreckage in a field surrounded by dense vegetation.
Carlos Fernando Silva, the commander of Colombia's air force, stated that the cause of the crash remains unclear, except that the plane experienced a malfunction and went down approximately two kilometers from the airport.
The air force dispatched two planes equipped with 74 beds to facilitate the transport of the injured to hospitals in Bogotá and other locations.
President Petro seized the opportunity to advocate for his long-standing campaign to modernize military aircraft and equipment, claiming that bureaucratic hurdles have hindered these efforts and suggesting accountability for certain officials.
He stated, "If civilian or military administrative officials are not up to the challenge, they must be removed."
Critics of the administration highlighted that military aircraft have been allocated fewer flight hours due to budget cuts, resulting in less experienced crews.
Erich Saumeth, an aviation expert and military analyst, noted that the Hercules C-130 involved in the crash was donated by the United States in 2020 and underwent a comprehensive overhaul three years later, including engine inspections and component replacements.
"I don't believe this plane crashed due to a lack of quality parts," Saumeth remarked, emphasizing that investigations will need to determine the cause of the rapid engine failure shortly after takeoff.
Defence Minister Sanchez reiterated on X that there are currently no indications that the aircraft was attacked by rebel groups operating near Puerto Leguizamo.
He described the accident as "profoundly painful for the country," adding, "We hope that our prayers can help to relieve some of the pain."