Colombian Military Forces were mobilized to the location. Colombian Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez, announced that assistance protocols for victims and their families have been activated
A Colombian Army transport plane crashed this Monday while trying to take off in the south of the country, the Colombian Aerospace Force confirmed, causing, according to the army, at least 80 deaths.
“The Aerospace Force informs that a C-130 Hercules aircraft suffered an accident in Puerto Leguízamo. The Colombian Military Forces are mobilized there to respond to the emergency”, said the air force in a message published on social media.
The Colombian Defense Minister, Pedro Sánchez, confirmed that the plane suffered the accident “while taking off from Puerto Leguízamo”, in the Putumayo region, adding that “it was transporting Public Force troops”.
Sánchez indicated that there are already military units on the ground.
“However, the number of victims or the causes of the accident have not yet been precisely determined,” he explained, adding that the care protocols for victims and their families have been activated and that an investigation has been opened.
“I express my most sincere condolences to the families of those affected and, out of respect for their pain, I appeal to avoid speculation until official information is available”, he stressed, acknowledging that it was a “deeply painful” event for Colombia.
The Colombian Army, according to the France-Presse (AFP) news agency, claimed a total of 80 deaths, without providing further details.
