Colombia Investigates Military Plane Crash That Killed 69 As Doctors Identify Victims

BOGOTA, Colombia — Forensic experts successful Colombia worked Wednesday to place nan remains of 69 information forces killed successful a subject carrier level clang successful nan country’s southwest, while authorities investigated nan origin of nan accident.

Alfridis Julio waited extracurricular nan forensic institute successful nan Colombian superior of Bogota to activity accusation astir his son, 19-year-old worker Kaleth Julio Severiche, who was connected a database of nan dormant successful Monday’s mishap successful Putumayo province, but whose remains person not yet been confirmed. He was walking location connected time off to reunite pinch family erstwhile nan mishap occurred.

“My caput is spinning. I don’t cognize what to do but wait,” Julio told nan Associated Press.

The Hercules C-130 collapsed soon aft taking disconnected from nan airdrome successful Puerto Leguízamo astatine 9:40 a.m. section time. It collapsed a infinitesimal later astir 1.1 miles from nan airdrome runway, according to nan Colombian Aerospace Force.

Local residents were nan first to get connected nan scene, signaling footage showing a achromatic unreality of fume and flames. Some civilians helped rescue nan injured, transporting them to aesculapian centers connected motorcycles.

While location were conflicting first numbers connected nan number of deaths and group aboard nan plane, nan Defense Ministry confirmed connected Tuesday that 67 members of nan equipped forces and 2 policemen were killed successful nan accident. Their bodies were each taken to Bogota for identification.

The Hercules C-130, pinch tail number FAC 1016, was donated by nan U.S. to Colombia successful 2020 nether a practice statement that besides included nan aid of 2 different utilized Hercules planes.

In 2023, nan level went done a elaborate revision known arsenic an overhaul, successful which its engines were inspected and cardinal components were replaced.

The Colombian Air Force is investigating nan crash, though nary clip framework for immoderate result has been set.

Analysts will analyse information from nan aircraft’s 2 onboard recorders, which captured captious accusation including altitude speed, and cockpit sound recordings.

Suárez writes for nan Associated Press.