Daniel Ortiz / AFP via Getty Image
In Colombia, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft crashed while on duty with National Army personnel and crew members. The incident occurred in the municipality of Puerto Legisamo in the Putumayo region: the plane crashed after taking off two kilometers from the airport.
According to the head of the country's Air Force, Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda, there were a total of 114 passengers and 11 crew members on board. Search and rescue operations are being carried out intensively, so far 48 people have survived, the fate of the rest is unknown.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on social media that 77 victims have been taken to the hospital, while 43 others have not yet been found. The Putumayo governor reported at least 34 deaths, while AFP reported that the death toll had risen to 66: 58 soldiers, 6 Air Force personnel, and 2 police officers.
The Colombian naval base in Puerto Legisamo quickly arrived at the scene and managed to provide medical assistance to the victims. According to El Heraldo, the aircraft was donated to Colombia by the United States and brought to the country in 2020.
Currently, the causes of the incident are being investigated, rescue operations and analysis are ongoing, and appropriate measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the country's population and military personnel.
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