Select Language:
A Colombian military aircraft with 125 personnel and crew onboard crashed shortly after takeoff near Puerto Leguizamo, close to the Ecuador border, on Monday. The crash resulted in scattered wreckage across the jungle, with visible flames and smoke rising above the trees. Early reports indicate that up to 80 individuals may have lost their lives, although official figures remain unconfirmed. Local images depict civilians gathering around the aircraft’s broken tail section, marked FAC 1016, as the emergency unfolds.
The incident occurred in a heavily militarized border region, which has seen increased military activity in recent weeks as Colombia and Ecuador collaborate against drug cartels and militias. Authorities have confirmed that as many as 48 survivors have been located, but the death toll could be higher. Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, stating that military personnel are already at the scene. He added that the number of casualties and the causes of the crash are still under investigation and that efforts are ongoing to bring comfort to those affected.
General Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda reported that 114 soldiers and 11 crew members were aboard the aircraft, which was en route between Puerto Leguizamo and a nearby Amazon outpost. This crash marks the second incident involving a C-130 Hercules in South America within a month; a Bolivian military cargo aircraft laden with banknotes crashed while landing near La Paz on February 27, resulting in at least 24 fatalities.
The C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop assembled by Lockheed Martin, is renowned for its versatility, particularly its capability to operate from improvised airstrips. It is widely used by various military forces worldwide, capable of transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
