According to reports from Caracol radio, the number of victims of the military transport aircraft C-130 Hercules crash in Putumayo has risen to 66 people.
According to information published by the outlet, among the deceased are 58 members of the National Army, six from the Colombian Air and Space Forces, and two from the National Police. About 125 people were on board, of whom 77 were hospitalized.
The crash occurred on March 23, when the plane was on a flight from Puerto Leguízamo to Puerto Asís. The commander of the Air and Space Forces, General Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda, confirmed that military personnel were on board.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez noted that the aircraft was in good condition and crashed shortly after takeoff, landing about one and a half kilometers from the airfield. He added that there is no evidence of external interference; however, explosions of some munitions occurred as a result of the fire on board.
Two medical aircraft were dispatched for the evacuation of the injured—one with 50 seats and the other with 24. The wounded were taken to hospitals in Neiva, Florencia, and Bogotá.
