Bogotá (Rajeev Sharma): A passenger aircraft operated by Colombia’s state-owned airline Satena met with a devastating accident on Wednesday, crashing in a remote stretch of Norte de Santander province and killing everyone on board, officials confirmed.
The flight had taken off from Cúcuta, the provincial capital, at around 11:40 am local time, bound for the hill town of Ocaña. Air traffic control lost communication with the aircraft within minutes of departure, prompting immediate concern and the launch of search operations.
Hours later, residents of the rural settlement of Curasica reported sighting debris in a difficult-to-access area. Emergency crews were rushed to the scene, but hopes of finding survivors were dashed. The Ministry of Transport later announced that all 15 occupants — 13 passengers and two crew members — had lost their lives.
In a statement, the airline said the aircraft, identified by registration number HK4709, was on a routine domestic route when the tragedy struck. Among those killed was Diogenes Quintero, a community leader known for advocating on behalf of victims of Colombia’s decades-long internal conflict.
Authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the crash. While no official cause has been established yet, experts noted that the region’s rugged terrain and unpredictable weather often pose challenges for aviation.
President and senior government officials expressed condolences to the families affected by the disaster, describing the incident as a national tragedy. Recovery teams continue to work in the area to retrieve remains and collect evidence, while aviation authorities assess safety protocols for regional flights.
