Colombian Military Plane Crash Kills Dozens Near Peru Border

Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that a Lockheed Martin-built Hercules C-130 transport plane suffered “a tragic accident” while taking off from Puerto Leguízamo, carrying troops of the country’s security forces. The crash occurred near the border with Peru and has been described by Sánchez as “deeply sad for the country.”

According to the Defence Minister, ammunition on board detonated after a fire broke out on the aircraft. A military source told AFP that 58 soldiers, six air force personnel, and two police officers died in the incident. Other military sources reported to Reuters that the death toll may be as high as 66.

The accident is among the deadliest in recent memory for the Colombian Air Force. Local media shared images showing a plume of smoke rising from the crash site and trucks transporting soldiers to the area. Footage also shows locals moving injured personnel to hospitals on small motorbikes.

President Gustavo Petro expressed his sorrow on X, describing the crash as “horrendous” and blaming bureaucratic delays for slowing the modernization of the armed forces’ equipment and aircraft. “I will allow no further delays, the lives of our young people are at stake,” he wrote, though he did not provide details on the cause of the accident.