At least 34 people died after a Colombian Air Force Hercules transport plane crashed shortly after takeoff in the southern Amazon, with dozens more injured.
BOGOTA: At least 34 people were killed when a Colombian Air Force transport plane crashed just after takeoff in the country’s southern Amazon region.
The Lockheed Martin-built Hercules C-130 was carrying 125 people when it went down near the town of Puerto Leguizamo on the border with Peru.
Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez said the plane hit the ground just one and a half kilometres from where it took off. He later stated that ammunition being carried on board detonated as a result of a fire on the aircraft.
Sanchez added there was no indication of an “attack by illegal actors”. He confirmed the plane was airworthy with a qualified crew ahead of departure.
Local authorities warned the death toll could rise. “Unfortunately, the information is of 34 deaths,” said Luis Emilio Bustos, the mayor of Puerto Leguizamo.
Jhon Gabriel Molina, governor of the Putumayo department, said 34 were killed and 21 still needed to be identified. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
