Colombia Air Force C-130 crash kills 66 near Putumayo

Sixty-six people are dead. A Colombia Air Force plane crash on Monday, March 23, killed 58 soldiers, six air force personnel, and two police officers, all aboard a C-130 Hercules transport that went down shortly after takeoff in Putumayo province, southern Colombia.

What caused the Colombian Air Force C-130 Hercules plane crash on March 23?

Colombian Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed the Lockheed Martin-built C-130 Hercules suffered an accident while taking off from Puerto Leguízamo, Putumayo, near the border with Peru. The plane carried troops from Colombia’s security forces.

According to Sánchez, a fire broke out on the aircraft. Ammunition stored on board then detonated. Emergency workers reached the crash site and searched through the wreckage for survivors. Local media footage showed smoke rising from the site. Images also showed locals transporting injured soldiers to hospitals on motorbikes. The Colombian Defence Minister called the incident deeply sad for the country.

How many people were on board the Colombia military plane that crashed in Putumayo?
Colombian Air Force Commander Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda confirmed 125 people were aboard the aircraft.

That total comprised 114 army personnel and 11 crew members. At least 66 died. A military source broke down the fatalities: 58 soldiers, six air force personnel, and two police officers. Several others sustained injuries. Emergency services deployed to Puerto Leguízamo, Putumayo province, immediately after the crash.

The incident ranks as one of the deadliest accidents in recent history for Colombia’s Air Force. The C-130 Hercules — a US-made military transport aircraft — saw widespread use globally for troop movement and air cargo operations.

What did President Gustavo Petro say about the Colombia Air Force crash?

Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted a statement on X following the crash, calling it a horrendous accident that should not have happened. Petro went further, he blamed what he described as bureaucratic problems for holding up his plans to modernise the armed forces’ aircraft and equipment. “I will allow no further delays; the lives of our young people are at stake,” Petro wrote.

He confirmed investigators had not yet determined the exact cause of the crash at the time of his statement. He also offered strength to the families of the soldiers. The president’s public blame of bureaucratic delays raises direct questions about military aviation insurance oversight and fleet renewal accountability across Latin America’s defence sector.

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