Colombian Military Plane Crash Results in 66 Fatalities

A military C-130 Hercules transport aircraft crashed in Colombia's Putumayo province on Monday, resulting in 66 fatalities. According to Ming Pao, the Colombian military reported that the aircraft was carrying 128 people at the time of the crash. In addition to the deceased, 57 individuals were injured, four are missing, and one person survived unscathed. The aircraft was en route from Puerto Leguízamo to Puerto Asís when it crashed approximately 1.5 kilometers from the departure point. Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that the plane's ammunition exploded after the aircraft caught fire. He noted that there were no initial signs of an attack by illegal groups. Firefighter Eduardo San Juan, cited by Reuters, mentioned that the aircraft likely collided with an object near the end of the runway during takeoff, with one wing striking a tree, leading to the fire. This incident is one of the most severe in terms of casualties for the Colombian Air Force in recent years.