In brief
A catastrophic military plane crash in Colombia has left 66 members of the armed forces dead, with four others still missing. The Hercules C-130 transport plane went down shortly after takeoff, prompting investigation into the incident under President Gustavo Petro's scrutiny of the military's outdated equipment. Local citizens played a crucial role in rescue efforts at the crash site.
In a tragic turn of events, a military plane crash in southern Colombia has resulted in the deaths of 66 members of the security forces. The C-130 Hercules transport aircraft experienced difficulties shortly after takeoff near Puerto Leguízamo, close to the Peruvian border, leading to a significant rescue operation aimed at locating four missing individuals.
The plane, carrying 128 people in total, came down on Monday, prompting immediate responses from local citizens who bravely rushed to the scene. They assisted in saving numerous injured survivors from the wreckage, transporting them to hospitals on motorbikes.
Current efforts are focused on determining the cause of the accident, with Colombia's President Gustavo Petro publicly questioning the reliability of the military hardware. In recent social media posts, he directly addressed the incident, criticizing the decision to use what he referred to as 'scrap metal' bought in 2020, and expressed urgency over the modernization plans for army equipment, citing 'bureaucratic problems' as a barrier.
Footage captured by bystanders shows the plane descending dangerously before crashing, accompanied by a plume of smoke and explosions, which the defense minister attributes to ammunition on board. Locals reported hearing a loud bang before the crash, with one farmer describing the unsettling scene as the plane came perilously close to his home.
The Commander General confirmed the loss of life included 58 army personnel, six air force members, and two police officers. This incident marks the second devastating crash involving a Hercules C-130 plane within the region in just months.
As rescue operations continue, the nation's grief underscores the critical need for accountability and improved safety measures within military aviation.
