BOGOTA: A Colombian military transport aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday leaving dozens of soldiers feared dead in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters in recent years.
The aircraft a Lockheed Martin C 130 Hercules went down near Puerto Leguízamo in the southern Amazon region close to the borders with Peru and Ecuador. According to officials the crash occurred just minutes after takeoff with witnesses reporting a large plume of black smoke rising from the wreckage.
Authorities said the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed but reports suggest that between 80 and 110 soldiers were on board. Initial estimates indicate that as many as 80 personnel may have lost their lives.
Colombia’s Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez described the incident as a tragic accident and confirmed that rescue teams had been dispatched though difficult terrain is hampering operations.
President Gustavo Petro expressed deep concern, calling the crash horrific. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause, while rescue efforts continue in the remote jungle area.
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