Military plane with 121 people crashes in southwestern Colombia
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- A military transport plane carrying 121 people, mostly soldiers, crashed shortly after takeoff in southwestern Colombia, resulting in at least one death and 77 injuries, according to officials.
- The crash occurred in Puerto Leguizamo, a remote area in the Amazonian Putumayo province near the borders of Peru and Ecuador, with rescue efforts ongoing.
- The Hercules C-130 plane, donated by the U.S. in 2020 and overhauled in 2023, experienced engine failure about two kilometers from the airport, though the exact cause is still under investigation.
- Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for modernization of military equipment and accountability for bureaucratic delays, while critics noted reduced flight hours under his administration may have affected crew experience.
- Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez stated there is no evidence the crash was caused by rebel attacks and described the accident as deeply painful for the country.
