The Diplomat
The Spanish government has expressed its solidarity with the Colombian government “following the tragic military plane crash” that occurred this Monday in the Department of Putumayo, in which 66 people died and whose causes are still unknown.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the government and the families of the deceased and our wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release on Tuesday, March 24.
At least 66 people died and 57 were injured after a Hercules military aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from the airport in Puerto Leguízamo, Putumayo.
Of the deceased, 58 were members of the Army, six belonged to the Colombian Aerospace Force, and two to the National Police. The aircraft had taken off with 128 people on board, including the eleven crew members, bound for Puerto Asís.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez has confirmed that the aircraft was “airworthy and the crew was properly qualified.” He also stated, in a press release published on social media, that for the time being, an attack has been ruled out, following speculation about a possible drone strike.