Puerto Leguízamo, Colombia – At least 66 people were killed when a military transport plane crashed in southern Colombia on Monday, officials confirmed. The Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft went down shortly after takeoff near Puerto Leguízamo, in the Putumayo region bordering Ecuador, according to reports.
The aircraft was carrying 114 soldiers and 11 crew members, for a total of 125 people on board, according to initial statements from the Colombian Air Force, as reported by AeroFlap. As of Wednesday, March 25, 2026, authorities have reported 66 fatalities and four missing personnel.
“Unfortunately, as a result of this tragic accident, 66 of our soldiers have lost their lives,” said General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto, according to Okaz. The crash also resulted in the deaths of six air force personnel and two police officers.
Rescue teams were immediately deployed to the remote area, supported by local residents who assisted in extracting victims from the wreckage. At least 81 injured individuals were treated and transported to hospitals in the region and other cities, according to Carlos Claros, a local government official, as cited in Sky News Arabia. Some of the survivors are reported to be in critical condition.
According to early reports, the plane lost contact shortly after departing from Puerto Leguízamo. Images from the scene show scattered debris and fires following the impact. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Colombian aviation and military authorities.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his condolences and indicated the demand to modernize the country’s military fleet, AeroFlap reported. The incident highlights the challenges of operating in remote regions with limited infrastructure and potentially demanding operational conditions.
The crash represents a significant loss for the Colombian military and raises questions about the safety and maintenance of its aging fleet. The development underscores the logistical difficulties faced by security forces operating in the country’s vast and often inaccessible terrain.
