On March 23, 2026, a C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Colombian Air Force crashed shortly after take-off in the southern region of Putumayo province, near the border with Peru. The plane was carrying 114 passengers and 11 crew members at the time of the incident.
As reported by Air Force commander Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda, emergency crews have managed to rescue 48 individuals, who are currently hospitalized with various injuries. The situation regarding potential fatalities remains unclear.
This US-made aircraft, commonly used for troop transportation, went down in a rural area close to the town of Puerto Leguízamo. Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez referred to the crash as a 'tragic accident' occurring while transporting troops of Colombia's security forces. He expressed deep sadness over the incident and confirmed that efforts are underway to investigate its causes.
Visuals from local media depict thick smoke billowing from the crash site, as emergency services rush to provide assistance. Eyewitness accounts describe local residents aiding injured soldiers by transporting them to hospitals via small motorcycles.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his hopes that the unfortunate incident wouldn't result in any fatalities and highlighted systemic bureaucratic issues that may have delayed necessary modernization of the military's aviation equipment. He indicated a commitment to preventing further delays, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the lives of military personnel.
This crash comes on the heels of a similar incident in Bolivia, where another C-130 Hercules aircraft tragically crashed while transporting banknotes, resulting in significant casualties.
