At least 66 people have died and four are missing after a Colombian military plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Puerto Leguizamo on Monday.
The aircraft, a Hercules C-130, was carrying 128 people, mostly soldiers, when it went down minutes after departure.
General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto, head of the armed forces, confirmed the death toll.
“Sadly, as a consequence of this tragic accident, 66 of our military elements died,” he said.
He added there was no sign of an attack.
“At the moment, we have no information, or indications, that it was an attack by an illegal armed group,” Barreto said.
Dozens of survivors were rescued, with at least 57 evacuated for treatment. Emergency teams struggled to reach the crash site due to the remote, forested terrain.
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Deputy Mayor Carlos Claros said residents helped first responders.
“I want to thank the people of Puerto Leguizamo who came out to help the victims of this accident,” he told RCN television.
Air force commander Carlos Fernando Silva said the cause of the crash is still unclear.
“Except that the plane had a problem and went down about two kilometers from the airport,” he said.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez described the crash as “profoundly painful for the country.”
“We hope that our prayers can help to relieve some of the pain,” he added.
President Gustavo Petro called for urgent upgrades to military equipment.
“I will grant no further delays; it is the lives of our young people that are at stake,” he said.