A Colombian military plane crashed shortly after takeoff on March 23, 2026, in Puerto Leguizamo, Putumayo, leaving at least one person dead and many others injured. The Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 was carrying 121 individuals, including 110 soldiers and 11 crew members, when the tragic incident occurred.
The crash took place approximately 2 kilometers from the airport, just moments after the aircraft had lifted off. Rescue operations were promptly initiated, resulting in 77 people being rescued and hospitalized. However, the status of 43 passengers remains unconfirmed.
The Colombian Air Force has mobilized two planes equipped with 74 beds to transport the injured to local hospitals, underscoring the urgency of the situation. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, with officials working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the accident.
Pedro Sánchez, a government official, expressed his condolences, stating, “This tragic accident occurred in Puerto Leguizamo.” Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his concerns, hoping that there would be no further fatalities from what he described as a “horrific accident that should never have happened.”
In light of the incident, President Petro criticized bureaucratic delays in military modernization plans, emphasizing that such difficulties have hindered necessary upgrades for over a year. He remarked, “Bureaucratic difficulties in the military administration have not allowed the Conpes/confis to carry these out since a year ago when I requested it.”
Colombia has been acquiring Hercules C-130 planes since the late 1960s, and this crash raises significant questions about the safety and maintenance of military aircraft in the region. As the investigation unfolds, details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact number of fatalities and injuries, as well as the underlying cause of the crash.
Authorities are expected to release further information as they gather more data from the crash site and assess the situation. The Colombian public and military community await answers to understand the implications of this tragic event.
