Dozens of people are feared dead when a Colombian military plane crashes on takeoff

A military transport plane carrying a number of soldiers crashed shortly after taking off in Colombia, and authorities fear heavy casualties despite ongoing rescue efforts.

The plane, identified as a Hercules transport plane, crashed on Monday shortly after departing from Puerto Leguizamo, near Colombia’s southern border with Ecuador. Officials said at least 80 people were on board the plane at the time of the crash, although the exact number of victims remains unclear.

Initial reports suggest that as many as 50 passengers may have survived the crash, according to military sources, raising hopes that some lives may be saved despite the severity of the incident.

The region where the crash occurred has seen increased military operations in recent weeks, as Colombian and Ecuadorian forces intensify efforts against drug trafficking networks and armed groups.

Although the cause of the crash is not yet known, footage broadcast by state broadcaster RCN showed the wreckage of the plane engulfed in flames in a forest area.

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Responding to the tragedy, Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed sadness at the incident and confirmed that emergency teams had been deployed to the crash site.

“Military units are already at the scene,” Sanchez wrote on social media, adding that “the number of victims and the cause of the accident cannot yet be confirmed.”

He described the development as a national tragedy, and said, “This is a very painful event for this country. Hopefully our prayers can provide some solace.”

The crash marked the second crash involving a C-130 Hercules aircraft in South America within a month. In a similar incident in Bolivia in February, a military cargo plane crashed near La Paz, resulting in heavy casualties.

The Hercules aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is widely used by armed forces globally due to its ability to operate in challenging environments and transport personnel and heavy equipment.