66 killed, several injured as military aircraft crashes in Colombia

At least 66 persons were killed and a dozen injured as a military transport aircraft crashed shortly after taking off in Colombia’s Puerto Leguizamo on Monday, AP reported.

General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto, the head of the country’s armed forces, said that 128 persons, mostly military personnel, were on the plane. While 57 persons had been rescued, four soldiers were missing, he added.

It was unclear what had caused the C-130 Hercules aircraft to crash.

“At the moment, we have no information, or indications, that it was an attack by an illegal armed group,” the news agency quoted the general as saying.

Videos widely shared on social media showed thick smoke billowing from the wreckage of the aircraft.

Atención: Un avión Hércules de la @FuerzaAereaCol se accidentó saliendo de La Tagua, Putumayo. 110 soldados iban a bordo. Ya han sido rescatados 20 militares heridos. Situación en desarrollo. Vía @BluRadioCo pic.twitter.com/Jgb4tw74aP— Ricardo Ospina (@ricarospina) March 23, 2026

Puerto Leguizamo is located in the Putumayo province that borders Ecuador and Peru.

Defense Minister Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez said on social media that the aircraft was transporting troops to another city in Putumayo. He also said that there were no signs that it had been attacked by rebel groups that operate near Puerto Leguizamo.

Of the 128 persons on board, 115 were from the Army, 11 were members of...

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