The death toll from a devastating Colombian military plane crash has tragically climbed to 68. The incident involved a Hercules C-130 aircraft, acquired by the Colombian military in 2020, which crashed on Monday just one kilometer from the runway in Puerto Leguizamo, an Amazonian town close to the Peruvian border.
According to AFP, the ill-fated aircraft was reportedly carrying 128 individuals along with an unspecified amount of ammunition, though these figures are still undergoing verification. The crash, which remains under active investigation, left dozens injured. Among the wounded were courageous local residents who rushed to assist survivors but were subsequently harmed by exploding ammunition amidst the wreckage.
Authorities have also confirmed that one soldier is currently unaccounted for following the disaster. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense has decisively ruled out any possibility of an attack by guerrilla groups, which are known to operate in this coca-rich region, as the cause of the plane’s downfall.
Jhon Molina, the Governor of the Putumayo region where the tragedy occurred, expressed concerns to Blu Radio about the airport’s existing issues, emphasizing the urgent need for greater investment in its improvement. Compounding the rescue efforts, the crash site’s remote location is only accessible either by air or via a demanding five-hour boat journey from Puerto Asis.
Governor Molina underscored that the swift and selfless assistance provided by local citizens during the initial rescue phase was absolutely critical in preventing an even higher death toll. Striking images of these residents transporting the injured on motorcycles circulated widely across social media, becoming a poignant symbol of community resilience in the face of disaster.
Summary
The death toll from a Colombian military Hercules C-130 plane crash has tragically climbed to 68. The aircraft, acquired in 2020, crashed on Monday near Puerto Leguizamo, an Amazonian town close to the Peruvian border. It was reportedly carrying 128 individuals and ammunition, leaving dozens injured, with one soldier still unaccounted for.
The crash’s cause remains under active investigation, though authorities have ruled out any guerrilla attack. Rescue efforts were complicated by the remote site, only accessible by air or a five-hour boat journey. Local citizens’ swift assistance was critical in preventing a higher death toll, with some even injured by exploding ammunition while aiding survivors.