8 soldiers died in a chopper accident while they were on a philanthropic activity

A Huey II helicopter, with registration number FAC-4441, crashed in the municipality of Cumaribo on Sunday, September 29
President Gustavo Petro issued a statement saying the soldiers were on their way to a philanthropic mission before the helicopter crashed
An Air Force statement said the victims included several officers and engineers

Colombia – At least eight soldiers have died in a helicopter crash that occurred in the municipality of Cumaribo near the Venezuelan border.

The original helicopter crash in Colombia (left) and an Army pilot piloting a military helicopter (right) (photo for reference). Photo: The Business Standard.
Source: UGC

What did President Gustavo Petro say about the helicopter crash?

Through his statement on X, President Gustavo Petro said that the helicopter that was transporting soldiers in a humanitarian mission crashed on Sunday, September 29.

The president gave a “statement of solidarity” to the bereaved families as the nation mourned those who died in the tragedy.

“I am saddened to report the death of 8 members of @FuerzaAereaCol who were traveling on a humanitarian mission in the province of Vichada, their helicopter crashed. A hug of solidarity to their families in this sad period that has hit the country,” said President Petro.

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What caused the plane crash in eastern Colombia?

According to NTDV, the helicopter was found after a search in a rural area in the municipality of Cumaribo, and there were no survivors.

Pictures published by Colombian media showed the burnt wreckage of the plane in the middle of a grassy area.

Earlier, the Colombian Air Force said that the Huey II helicopter, with registration number FAC-4441, lost contact while on a medical mission, prompting a search and rescue operation.

The Air Force said the families of the crew who were on the plane are being helped while the rescue operation continues.

Preliminary investigations by the authorities indicate that bad weather may have been the main cause of the accident.

5 people died in a plane crash in North Carolina

Elsewhere, on Saturday evening, September 29, all five passengers on board a Cirrus SR22 lost their lives when their plane crashed near First Flight Airport, near the Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina.