Plane Crash In Colombia: 15 Killed In A Plane Crash In Northeastern Colombia Minutes After Takeoff

A small passenger plane crashed in a rural area of northeastern Colombia on Wednesday, killing all 15 people on board. Local authorities confirmed that there were no survivors. The aircraft belonged to the state-owned airline Satena and was operating a short domestic flight.

The plane had taken off from the city of Cúcuta near the Venezuelan border and was heading to Ocaña. The journey usually takes less than an hour. However, contact with air traffic control was lost just minutes after the aircraft departed.

Contact Lost Shortly After Takeoff

According to officials, the plane left Cúcuta airport at around 11:42 a.m. About 12 minutes into the flight, air traffic controllers were unable to reach the aircraft. The emergency signal on the plane was also not activated.

Soon after, local residents reported a crash in the Curacica area of Norte de Santander province. Rescue teams were sent to the site, which is located in a hilly and remote region. When the teams arrived, they found that the plane had been completely destroyed.

Lawmaker and Political Figures Among Victims

The 15 people on board included 13 passengers and two crew members. One of the passengers was Diógenes Quintero, a lawmaker known for representing victims of internal armed conflict in the region. His assistant was also traveling with him.

Another passenger was Carlos Salcedo, a political figure who was preparing to contest upcoming elections. The news of their deaths has caused deep sorrow among local communities and political circles.

Cause of the Crash Still Unknown

Authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the accident. Investigators are examining whether the crash was due to a technical problem, weather conditions, or another factor. The region where the crash occurred is mountainous and difficult to access, which may slow down the investigation.

Officials have assured that a detailed probe is underway and more information will be shared once the investigation progresses.