Death toll in Colombia plane crash rises to 66

Crime Diary, International, South America

INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 24, 2026 — The death toll from the Colombian military plane crash in Puerto Leguízamo, Putumayo province, has climbed to 66, with four soldiers still missing.

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, carrying 128 people — including 115 Army personnel, 11 crew members, and two National Police officers — went down shortly after takeoff on March 23. The crash produced flames and thick smoke, with eyewitnesses reporting a large black cloud rising from the site.

Rescue teams have recovered dozens of survivors, though many remain hospitalised with injuries. The Defence Minister, Pedro Sánchez, described the incident as a “tragic accident,” confirming that soldiers were among the victims.

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The Colombian Air Force has launched an investigation into the cause, with mechanical failure or overload considered possible factors. President Gustavo Petro expressed condolences to the families and pledged full support for rescue and inquiry efforts.

The crash, one of the deadliest in Colombia’s military aviation history, has raised concerns about the safety and maintenance of the country’s ageing C-130 fleet. Puerto Leguízamo’s remote Amazon location has complicated rescue operations, underscoring the challenges of military transport in difficult terrain.