A Colombian Air Force aircraft carrying 114 service members crashed in southern Colombia near the border with Peru, leaving dozens injured and triggering a large-scale rescue operation.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Monday when a Hercules C-130 military transport plane attempted to take off from an airstrip near Puerto Leguízamo. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft reportedly lost altitude and went down in a rural area.
Local official Carlos Arbey Cleves confirmed that all 114 occupants were service members. So far, at least 67 people have been rescued and taken to nearby hospitals, with several reported to be in critical condition.
Footage from witnesses captured the moment the plane struggled to gain altitude before crashing. Images from the scene show flames engulfing the wreckage, leaving much of the aircraft destroyed.
Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez stated that military teams have been deployed to the crash site. However, the exact number of casualties and the cause of the crash remain unknown.
Describing the incident as a national tragedy, Sánchez extended condolences to the families of those affected and urged the public to avoid speculation as investigations continue.