Puerto Leguízamo, Colombia – A military transport plane carrying more than 100 people crashed during takeoff in Colombia on Monday, March 23, 2026, killing at least 66 people and leaving several others injured.
The Crash and Its Aftermath
The incident involved a Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 transport plane, which was carrying Colombian military personnel, including army members, air force personnel, and national police officers. The crash occurred in Puerto Leguízamo, a remote town in southwestern Colombia, close to the border with Peru.
Pedro Sánchez, Colombia’s Defense Minister, shared a message on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that military units were on the scene and that all necessary care protocols for victims and their families had been activated. He also expressed condolences to the families of those affected.
Details of the Flight
The Hercules C-130 was carrying 128 people: 115 army personnel, 11 air force members, and 2 national police officers. As of Tuesday, March 24, several people remained missing, and 57 survivors had been taken to hospitals, with 30 of them being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a military clinic.
Preliminary Investigation into the Cause
According to an early investigation, the plane may have struck something at the end of the runway as it took off, possibly clipping a tree with one of its wings before plummeting and catching fire. Local residents, who were the first to arrive at the scene, assisted survivors before military vehicles reached the crash site.
One video circulating online shows a wounded soldier being transported on a motorcycle to safety.
Colombia’s Response and Criticism of Military Modernization Delays
Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the bureaucratic delays that had hindered his efforts to modernize the military. He expressed frustration with the failure of Russian helicopters, which had contributed to transportation issues in the country, and threatened to remove officials if improvements were not made.
“I will not grant more time; it is the lives of the young people that are at stake,” President Petro stated, emphasizing the urgent need for modern military equipment such as helicopters and transport aircraft.
