At least 66 killed in military plane crash in Colombia

March 24, 2026 (PEN) At least 66 people were killed and dozens injured when a military plane crashed in southern Colombia, local authorities said, in one of the worst air disasters the country has seen in recent times.

Authorities explained that the aircraft, a Hercules model, crashed shortly after taking off from Puerto Leguizamo in Putumayo province near the border with Ecuador, and was carrying 125 people. The relevant authorities have launched an investigation to determine the causes of the accident.

According to an updated tally relayed by a military source, the incident resulted in the death of 58 soldiers, six air force personnel, and two policemen, while local officials confirmed that rescue teams were able to treat 81 injured people, amid ongoing efforts to evacuate the wounded from the scene of the incident.

Carlos Claros, an official in the Puerto Leguizamo government, said authorities were "doing everything possible" to transport the injured, while Colombian Air Force Chief General Carlos Fernando Silva indicated the plane was carrying 114 soldiers and 11 crew members.

For his part, Putumayo Governor John Gabriel Molina spoke of difficulties facing evacuation operations, given the limited capabilities of the small airport in the area, which complicates rapid response efforts to the incident.