Colombia C-130 Crash: Military Aircraft Carrying Troops Down Near Puerto Leguizamo

A Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 carrying approximately 110 soldiers crashed shortly after takeoff near Puerto Leguizamo, Colombia. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities assessing casualty numbers and the incident’s causes as emergency teams secure the site in the southern Amazon region.

A Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 military aircraft carrying approximately 110 soldiers crashed in southern Colombia on Monday, according to the Colombian Defence Ministry. The plane went down shortly after take-off near Puerto Leguizamo, close to the border with Peru. Local footage from the scene showed a large fire, though authorities have not yet confirmed casualties.

Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez said the aircraft was transporting troops from Puerto Leguizamo when the incident occurred. “The exact number of victims and the causes of the crash have not yet been determined,” he told reporters, emphasizing that investigations are ongoing. Military and emergency teams are on site, while specialists assess the damage to the aircraft.

According to BluRadio, the plane crashed roughly 3 kilometers (about 2 miles) from an urban center. Officials are working to secure the area and gather evidence to determine what went wrong during take-off.

The incident follows a recent Hercules C-130 crash in Bolivia at the end of February, when a Bolivian Air Force aircraft went down in the crowded city of El Alto. That crash killed more than 20 people and injured around 30. Witnesses described cargo banknotes scattering through the streets as rescue teams worked to reach survivors.

The Colombian crash has drawn comparisons due to the aircraft type and its proximity to populated or sensitive areas. While casualties have not been confirmed, the event has heightened concerns about regional air safety.

Authorities are expected to release more details on the number of victims and the technical causes once the investigation is complete. For now, military and emergency services continue to secure the site, ensuring safety in the southern Amazon region.