Rescue workers in Colombia are searching for four individuals who are missing after a military plane crash resulted in the deaths of 66 security personnel. The incident occurred when a Hercules C-130 transport plane came down shortly after takeoff near the Colombian-Peruvian border on March 24, leading to an immediate response from locals who helped ferry survivors to hospitals on their motorbikes.
At the time of the crash, there were a total of 128 people aboard the aircraft, which was en route from Puerto Leguízamo to Puerto Asís. The Colombian government is now investigating the cause of the tragic accident, which has been linked to the aging military hardware, as suggested by President Gustavo Petro through a series of social media posts.
Petro appeared to hold the equipment accountable, stating, This piece of scrap metal was bought in 2020 and came down, let's ask why, underscoring the urgency for modernization amidst bureaucratic setbacks. He declared he would not tolerate any further delays, given the stakes involved in safeguarding the lives of military personnel.
Witnesses described the plane losing altitude shortly before the crash, followed by large plumes of smoke and sounds indicating explosions, later attributed to on-board ammunition igniting in the flames. Despite initial fears of an attack by armed groups in the region, officials confirmed no such evidence existed.
This incident marks a significant tragedy for Colombia's military and raises larger discussions about safety protocols and the maintenance of military aircraft. Just months prior, another Hercules C-130 had been involved in a deadly crash in Bolivia, further emphasizing concerns over the reliability of these aircraft in the region.
