COLOMBIA: A military plane crash in southern Colombia has left at least 66 people dead and many others injured, according to officials.

The aircraft went down shortly after taking off near the town of Puerto Leguízamo in Putumayo province, close to the border with Peru.

Air force commander Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda said there were 114 army personnel and 11 crew members on board.

The plane was a US made Lockheed C-130 Hercules, commonly used to transport troops.

Rescue teams rushed to the crash site and were seen searching through the wreckage for survivors. Authorities say the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez described the incident as “a tragic accident” that happened during takeoff while carrying security forces.

He said the crash is “deeply sad for the country”.

Later, officials added that a fire broke out on the plane, causing ammunition on board to explode, making the situation even worse.