At least 34 people died, and dozens were injured when a Colombian Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Leguízamo in the southern Putumayo department on Monday.

The aircraft, registration FAC1016, was carrying 114 army personnel and 11 crew members to Puerto Asís, another town in Putumayo province, when it went down around 9:50 a.m. local time about 1.5 kilometers from the runway during climb-out. The plane burst into flames upon impact, with ammunition on board detonating in the post-crash fire, complicating rescue efforts.

Putumayo Governor John Gabriel Molina reported the death toll of at least 34, while more than 80 others were injured, including 14 in critical condition. Colombian Air Force Commander Gen. Carlos Fernando Silva confirmed 83 people had been hospitalized, with some reports indicating eight or more remain unaccounted for. Rescue teams, including residents using motorbikes to transport the wounded, rushed survivors to hospitals in Bogota and other cities via military aircraft.

Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez described the incident as a "tragic accident" with no evidence of an attack by illegal groups, a concern in the remote Amazonian region bordering Peru and Ecuador. President Gustavo Petro expressed sorrow on social media, calling it a "horrendous accident" and criticizing bureaucratic delays in modernizing the military's aging fleet, including the C-130 acquired in the late 1960s.

Puerto Leguízamo Mayor Luis Emilio Bustos noted the challenging recovery due to scattered debris and ongoing fires. Video footage captured thick black smoke rising from the wreckage amid jungle terrain.

The cause remains under investigation by the Air Force, with no immediate determination. Putumayo, a conflict-prone area, relies heavily on air transport for troops due to poor road infrastructure.