Colombia’s Ministry of Transportation says a plane carrying 15 people has crashed near the country’s eastern border with Venezuela, killing all on board. The flight, operated by government run airline Satena, was travelling from Cucuta to Ocana in the North Santander department when it disappeared from radar. The dead reportedly include two crew members, a Colombian congressional representative and a political candidate.
Transportation Minister Maria Fernanda Rojas said an investigation is under way, adding that emergency protocols have been activated and a Unified Command Post established. Air traffic control data indicates the aircraft experienced a sudden drop in altitude around 11 minutes before its scheduled landing in Ocana. The crash site is in a remote area of dense jungle, complicating search and recovery efforts.
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Among the passengers was Diogenes Quintero, a lower house lawmaker representing conflict victims, who was travelling with Carlos Salcedo Salazar, a candidate for the same seat. Local officials have suggested adverse weather may have contributed to the crash. The region, known as Catatumbo, is also affected by armed conflict and drug related activity, and has limited transport infrastructure despite the flight route opening in June last year.
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