A navy transport aircraft carrying 110 troopers has been concerned in an “accident” in Colombia, native media have reported.
Round 57 individuals have been rescued alive, sources informed Reuters. It nonetheless leaves greater than 50 individuals unaccounted for.
The nation’s defence minister Pedro Anulfo Sanchez stated on Monday the Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 aircraft had “suffered a tragic accident”.
Mr Sanchez stated he hoped the prayers of Colombians would assist alleviate the “ache” of the households of the victims.
President Gustavo Petro additionally weighed in – criticising obstacles for blocking his plans to modernise the navy.
Colombia started shopping for C-130 planes way back to the Sixties.
Mr Petro stated in a publish on X: “I hope there are no fatalities on this horrific accident that ought to by no means have occurred.
“I’ll grant no additional delays; it’s the lives of our younger individuals which can be at stake.
“If civilian or navy administrative officers are less than this problem, they should be eliminated.”
There are some discrepancies over the variety of individuals rescued – with native media claiming the determine is as excessive as 67.
The plane was taking off from an airport deep in Colombia’s southern Amazon area, on the border with Peru.
The crash occurred simply two miles from a busy city centre, native media BluRadio declare.
Mr Sanchez stated, in a translated X publish: “With deep sorrow, I report {that a} Hercules plane from our [Colombian Aerospace Force] suffered a tragic accident whereas taking off from Puerto Leguízamo (Putumayo), whereas transporting troops from our Public Pressure.
“Navy models are already on the scene; nonetheless, the variety of victims and the causes of the accident haven’t but been exactly decided.
“All protocols for helping the victims and their households have been activated, in addition to the corresponding investigation.
“I specific my sincerest condolences to the households of these affected and, out of respect for his or her grief, I urge everybody to keep away from hypothesis till official data is out there.
“It is a profoundly painful occasion for the nation.”
The Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules is utilized by militaries internationally.
The have been first launched within the Fifties and Colombia acquired its first fashions within the late Sixties.
Final month one other C-130 belonging to the Bolivian Air Pressure crashed within the metropolis of Alto, killing 20 and injuring one other 30.
Banknotes type the planes cargo scattered across the metropolis – prompting clashes between residents and safety forces.
It is usually the second aircraft crash to make headlines in Colombia this 12 months – again in January a small passenger aircraft crashed within the north of the nation.
All 15 individuals on board, together with a congressman, have been killed.
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