Military Plane Crash in Colombia Kills 8, Injures Over 8

Bogota, March 2026 : At least eight people were killed and 83 others injured after a Colombian military aircraft crashed in the southern Putumayo region, officials confirmed. According to Putumayo Governor Jhon Gabriel Molina, 14 of the injured are in critical condition.

The accident involved a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft carrying 114 passengers and 11 crew members. Carlos Silva, commander of the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC), said an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.

Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that the aircraft went down during takeoff from Puerto Leguizamo. Military rescue teams were immediately deployed to the site, and emergency response protocols were activated to assist survivors. Several injured personnel were airlifted to Bogota for advanced medical treatment.

Sanchez expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, assuring that the government is providing all necessary support to those affected.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the crash “should never have happened,” pointing to concerns over the lack of modernization in the armed forces, which he attributed to bureaucratic challenges. He also thanked local residents and rescue teams who rushed to the crash site to help save lives.

Flight data showed that the aircraft was a C-130H Hercules, an older model that first entered service in 1965. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the aircraft had been donated to Colombia by the US Air Force in 2020.

Authorities continue rescue operations and investigations as the country mourns the loss of lives in the tragic crash.