politics
March 23, 2026
At least eight dead and 83 injured confirmed in military plane crash in Colombia
At least eight people died and 83 were injured, 14 of them in critical condition, in the crash of a Colombian Air Force (FAC) Hercules C-130 aircraft, with 125 people on board, which occurred this Monday in Puerto Leguízamo, in the department of Putumayo, the regional Governorate reported preliminarily. "83 injured are reported, of which 14 are in critical condition, and eight people deceased," said the governor of Putumayo, Jhon Gabriel Molina, after the commander of the FAC, General Carlos Silva, reported, also based on preliminary data, "48 injured who have been rescued".
TL;DR
- A Colombian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft crashed in Puerto Leguízamo, Putumayo.
- The crash resulted in at least eight fatalities and 83 injuries, 14 of whom are in critical condition.
- The plane was carrying 125 people: 112 Army members, 11 Air Force crew, and two police officers.
- The aircraft experienced a problem and crashed a couple of kilometers from the airport shortly after takeoff.
- The plane was 43 years old, having entered service with the US Air Force in 1983 before being transferred to Colombia in 2020.
- Rescue operations are ongoing with support from the Navy and local inhabitants in a difficult-to-access jungle area.
- The Air Force deployed an air ambulance and aircraft for mass casualty transport, including a C-130 with 50 stretchers and a Casa 295 with 24 stretchers.
- President Gustavo Petro provided a different preliminary report, stating 77 injured, one dead, and 43 individuals whose status is yet to be determined.