Military Plane Crashes in Colombia, Dozens Injured

BOGOTÁ, Colombia —A Colombian military transport plane carrying 125 people crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday in the country’s southwest, leaving at least 77 people injured and triggering a large-scale rescue operation.

The aircraft, a Hercules C-130, went down near the remote municipality of Puerto Leguízamo in the Amazonian province of Putumayo, close to the borders with Peru and Ecuador.

According to Colombia’s Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez, the incident occurred moments after the aircraft departed, describing it as a “tragic accident.”

Colombian Air Force officials confirmed that 125 people were on board, including 114 passengers—mostly soldiers—and 11 crew members.

Emergency responders and local residents rushed to the crash site, where images showed thick black smoke rising from the wreckage. Authorities reported that at least 77 individuals were rescued with injuries, with many transported to nearby medical facilities as rescue efforts continued.

Initial reports indicate the aircraft encountered problems shortly after takeoff and crashed a few kilometres from the airport. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

While early reports focused on injuries, other emerging accounts suggest fatalities may have occurred, though officials have not yet confirmed a final death toll.

President Gustavo Petro expressed concern over the incident and has renewed calls to modernise Colombia’s military fleet, citing longstanding challenges with equipment and resources.

Rescue and recovery operations remain ongoing as authorities work to determine the full extent of the disaster.