Death toll rises to 66 in military plane crash: Colombian Defence Chief
More than 60 members of Colombia’s armed forces were killed when a military aircraft crashed shortly after take-off in the south of the country early on Monday, authorities said.
Previously, one person was confirmed dead and 77 others rescued after a military transport plane carrying 125 people crashed in Colombia on Monday.
Colombian chief of defence Hugo Alejandro López Barreto said that “sadly, as a consequence of this tragic accident, 66 of our armed forces members died”.
The defence chief also said that 128 people had been on board: 11 members of the Colombian Aerospace Force, 115 members of the army and two members of the national police force.
Initially, authorities said 125 were on board.
The C-130 Hercules plane was travelling from Puerto Leguízamo to Puerto Asís, in the Putumayo Department, near the border with Peru, when it crashed shortly after takeoff.
The cause of the accident remains unclear.
Videos showing clouds of grey smoke and wreckage have been published on social media.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Postmortem reveals Davido’s ally Ubiribo died from complications of penis enlargement surgery in Thailand
Ubiribo, 43, was on holiday with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he underwent the procedure.
Heading 3
Nigerian ex-immigration officer, associate charged for accepting bribes to unlawfully approve green cards, U.S. citizenship applications
Messrs Ganiyu and Somoye had their initial court appearances on September 2.
States
Three killed, 20 injured in Osun auto crash
The state sector commander of FRSC urged motorists to recognise their responsibility towards other road users.
States
Kaduna CAN, foundation empower 411 youths with skills
The founder of the foundation said the initiative was conceived in response to unemployment.
States
NAF inaugurates water, education projects in Yobe
Mr Aneke said the NAF remained committed to supporting communities.
States
Police arrest new suspect in murder of Anambra nursing student
23-year-old Vivian Chilaka was killed on June 14.
