Tragedy Strikes In Colombia As Military Aircraft Erupts Into Ball Of Fire Immediately After Takeoff

Bogota: A horrific plane crash occurred on Monday morning in the Putumayo region of southern Colombia. A Colombian Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft crashed while taking off from Puerto Leguízamo Airport, located near the Ecuadorian border. Video footage circulating on social media shows the wreckage of the aircraft engulfed in fierce flames. However, the number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed.

In a statement, Defense Minister Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez confirmed that the aircraft was transporting troops belonging to the armed forces. He stated that the plane crashed while attempting to take off from Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo. Military units have already arrived at the scene, but the exact number of victims and the causes of the crash remain unknown.

A major plane accident has occurred in Colombia… 😒

A Colombian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft, carrying around 110 military personnel, crashed near Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo shortly after takeoff.

The incident was so serious that it caused panic across the area… rescue… pic.twitter.com/14Om6sDLpO

— Mohit Gour (@mohit49870) March 23, 2026

How many casualties?

The Colombian Army reported on Monday that approximately 80 soldiers are feared dead following the crash of a transport aircraft in the southern part of the country. According to the news agency AFP, two platoons—totaling 80 soldiers—were on board the Hercules aircraft when it crashed while taking off from Puerto Leguízamo, situated near the southern border with Ecuador. According to the Army, the aircraft crashed during the takeoff phase itself.

Meanwhile, according to eyewitnesses, the aircraft crashed just minutes after takeoff, and the incident occurred merely 3 kilometers away from an urban area. Rescue teams have arrived at the scene, and an investigation into the matter has been initiated. However, officials have not yet confirmed the official number of fatalities or injuries.