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The Colombian Air Force said a C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying about 110 soldiers and 11 crew members crashed after takeoff on March 23.
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The Air Force said dozens of people had been injured but did not confirm any possible deaths.
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“I express my sincerest condolences to the families of those affected,” Colombia’s defense minister said in a statement.
Colombian officials said a military plane carrying at least 120 soldiers and crew members reportedly crashed after takeoff, injuring 77 people.
A C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying approximately 110 National Army soldiers and 11 crew members crashed after taking off from Port Reguizamo on the morning of Monday, March 23, the Colombian Air Force said in a press release.
“According to preliminary information, 77 people have been injured so far. Some of them are receiving treatment at medical centers in Port Reguizamo and Putumayo Assis,” the Air Force statement read. “Others will be urgently transferred to Bogota and Florence for specialized medical care. Air traffic control measures are also being implemented in the area to facilitate and speed up response and rescue efforts.”
On March 23, 2026, an Air Force Hercules aircraft crashed while taking off from Port Leguizamo, Colombia, near the southern border with Ecuador, emitting flames and thick black smoke.
Photo credit: Daniel Ortiz/AFP, Getty Images
An Air Force news release did not indicate any fatalities may have been caused by the crash.
Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez also confirmed Monday’s incident in a post shared on X.
“I am deeply saddened to report that one of our @FuerzaAereaCol Hercules aircraft suffered a tragic accident while transporting troops of our public forces while taking off from Port Leguizamo (Putumayo),” Sanchez wrote.
He added: “Military units have rushed to the scene of the accident; however, the exact number of victims and the cause of the crash have not yet been determined.”
According to the Associated Press, Colombian Air Force Commander Carlos Fernando Silva said that about 48 people survived and were rescued.
“We have no further details at this time, other than that the plane had problems right after takeoff and crashed to the ground a few kilometers from the airport,” Silva said in a video statement. new york times reported.
On March 23, 2026, in Port Leguizamo, Colombia, an Air Force Hercules aircraft crashed during takeoff, with thick smoke rising from soldiers and rescuers nearby.
Photo credit: Daniel Ortiz/AFP, Getty Images
The Air Force said it activated care and response protocols after the accident, “deploying air ambulances and aircraft in mass patient transfer configurations, as well as staffing an interdisciplinary team including medical experts, prehospital care (APH) and investigators from the Colombian Aerospace Forces and the National Army.”
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“I offer my sincerest condolences to the families of those affected and respect their pain, and I urge that speculation be avoided until official information is available,” Sanchez said.
“This is a very painful event for this country. May our prayers accompany and go some way to alleviate the grief,” he added.
The Colombian Air Force did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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