A Colombian C-130 Hercules military cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff in the country’s Putumayo region, killing at least 66 people and leaving four others missing.
The aircraft was carrying a total of 128 people, including 115 Army soldiers, 11 Air Force personnel, and two National Police officers. According to initial reports, the plane caught fire mid-air, leading to a massive explosion caused by detonating onboard ammunition. Colombian Chief of Staff Hugo Alejandro Lopez Barreto confirmed the death toll and stated that there is currently no evidence indicating the crash was the result of an attack by an illegal armed group.