21:31

A Hercules C-130 military transport plane of the Colombian Air Force crashed Monday in a rural area near Puerto Leguízamo, Putumayo, southwestern Colombia.

Axar.az reports, citing Colombian media, around 110 soldiers were on board, though this figure has not been officially confirmed.

Retired General Pedro Sánchez, Colombia’s Defense Minister, said the crash occurred shortly after takeoff and that military units are at the scene.

The number of casualties and the cause of the crash remain under investigation. Authorities have urged caution against speculation to respect the families of those involved.

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On board the C-130 Hercules were 114 soldiers and 11 crew members, according to General Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda, Commander of the Colombian Aerospace Force.

So far, 77 people have been admitted to the hospital with injuries, one person has died, and the status of 43 people is still being determined.