Military Plane Carrying Over 120 Passengers Crashes in ‘Tragic Accident’ After Takeoff, Injuring 77, Officials Say

NEED TO KNOW

• The Colombian Air Force said a C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying about 110 troops and 11 crew members crashed on March 23 after taking off
• The Air Force said dozens have been injured, but did not confirm any possible fatalities
• “I express my most sincere condolences to the families of those affected," Colombia's defense minister said in a statement

Officials in Colombia said a military plane reportedly carrying at least 120 troops and crew crashed following takeoff, leaving 77 injured.

In a news release, Colombia’s Air Force said the crash involving a C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying about 110 soldiers of the National Army and 11 crew members occurred the morning of Monday, March 23, after taking off Puerto Leguízamo.

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“According to preliminary information, 77 people have been reported injured so far. Some are being treated at medical centers in Puerto Leguízamo and Puerto Asís, Putumayo,” the Air Force statement read. “Others will be urgently transferred to Bogotá and Florencia for specialized medical care. Air traffic control measures are also being implemented in the area to facilitate and expedite response and relief efforts.”

The Air Force's news release did not indicate any possible fatalities from the crash.

Pedro Sánchez, Colombia’s defense minister, also confirmed Monday’s incident in a post shared on X.

“With deep sorrow, I report that a Hercules aircraft from our  @FuerzaAereaCol suffered a tragic accident while taking off from Puerto Leguízamo (Putumayo), as it was transporting troops from our Public Force,” Sánchez wrote.

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“Military units are already at the scene of the incident; however, the exact number of victims and the causes of the crash have not yet been determined,” he added.

Carlos Fernando Silva, commander of the Colombian Air Force, said that about 48 were alive and rescued, The Associated Press reported.

“At this time we don’t have any more details except that as soon as it took off, the airplane suffered a problem and descended toward the ground, a couple of kilometers from the airport,” Silva said in a video statement, The New York Times reported.

The Air Force said that care and reaction protocols were activated following the crash, “deploying ambulance aircraft and aircraft in mass patient transfer configuration, with an interdisciplinary team including medical specialists, Prehospital Care (APH) and investigators from the Colombian Aerospace Force and the National Army.”

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“I express my most sincere condolences to the families of those affected and, in respect for their pain, I call for avoiding speculation until official information is available,” Sánchez said.

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“It is a deeply painful event for the country. May our prayers accompany and, to some extent, alleviate the sorrow,” he added.

The Colombian Air Force did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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