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Dozens of radical are feared dormant aft a Colombian subject cargo level crashed Monday successful the southwestern portion of the country, Colombian officials said. The clang happened soon aft the level took off, according to Colombia's defence minister.
Soldiers were connected committee the level erstwhile it crashed. It was carrying 114 passengers and 11 unit members, according to the latest numbers released by the Colombian Air Force, which reported that astatine slightest 48 radical had been rescued from the clang tract and suffered injuries.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said connected X that the "tragic accident" occurred successful Puerto Leguizamo, a distant municipality successful the Amazonian state of Putumayo, which borders Peru and Ecuador.
Images shared online by section media outlets amusement a achromatic unreality of fume rising from a tract wherever the level crashed, and a motortruck with soldiers rushing to the site.
Flames and heavy achromatic fume emergence from a Colombian Air Force level that crashed during takeoff, arsenic a subordinate of the Colombian Police stands nearby, successful Puerto Leguizamo, Colombia, connected March 23, 2026.
Daniel Ortiz /AFP via Getty Images
Sánchez did not specify the fig of troops who were aboard the Hercules C-130, a level that tin beryllium configured to transportation up to 120 people. He said rescue teams had been sent to the tract of the clang and that the origin of the clang inactive hasn't been determined.
"I anticipation determination volition beryllium nary deadly casualties successful this mishap that should person not occurred," Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote connected X.
Petro seized connected the mishap to beforehand what helium called his long-time run to modernize planes and different instrumentality utilized by his country's military, saying those efforts person been blocked by "bureaucratic difficulties" and suggesting that immoderate officials should beryllium held accountable.
"If civilian oregon subject administrative officials are not up to the challenge, they indispensable beryllium removed," Petro said.
Sánchez wrote that the mishap was "profoundly achy for the country," adding that: "We anticipation that our prayers tin assistance to relieve immoderate of the pain."
José Diaz contributed to this report.
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