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
Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says
“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.
Heading 1
U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth
“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.
Lagos
Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears
Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.
Africa
144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR
“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.
World
U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua
Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.
World
Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister
Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.
