BOGOTÁ: Eight Colombian soldiers died when the helicopter transporting them on a humanitarian mission crashed near the border with Venezuela, President Gustavo Petro said on Sunday.
President Gustavo Petro wrote on X that the eight were on a mission in the eastern department of Vichada.
The helicopter, operated by the Colombian Air Force, went down in the rural municipality of Cumaribo in the Vichada department. While the exact timing of the crash has not been disclosed, the military launched a search operation that ultimately led to the discovery of the wreckage.
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Images released by Colombian media depict the burnt remnants of the helicopter lying in a grassy area. The Air Force confirmed that there were no survivors from the crash.
In response to the tragedy, the Air Force announced that the families of the deceased soldiers are being provided with support during this difficult time.
