A Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules crashed shortly after takeoff in Puerto Leguízamo in the southern Amazon region, killing at least 66 of the 121 people on board, most of them soldiers.

Dozens of injured survivors were rescued and transported to hospitals.

Officials, including Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez, said the cause of the crash remains under investigation, though an attack has been ruled out.

President Gustavo Petro called the घटना a horrific tragedy and highlighted ongoing challenges in modernizing the military fleet, The Guardian has reported.

Rescue efforts continue as authorities work to confirm the final death toll and determine what caused the accident.