Helicopter Crash in Colombia Leaves Eight Soldiers Dead

Place of the accident which killed 8 Colombian soldiers. Photo: Ultima Hora

September 29, 2024 Hour: 4:57 pm

A Colombian Air Force (FAC) helicopter crashed on Sunday while on a humanitarian mission in the eastern department of Vichada, killing eight of its crew.

“I regret to report the death of eight members of @FuerzaAereaCol who were traveling on a humanitarian mission in the Vichada department, their helicopter rushed to land,” announced Colombian president Gustavo Petro on his X account.

Rendimos homenaje a los ocho héroes y heroínas de la tripulación del Huey II FAC 4441, accidentada en cumplimiento de una misión humanitaria en #Vichada.

Juraron servicio a la Patria y entregaron su vida “Para que otros puedan vivir”.#NosDueleATodos #ParaQueOtrosPuedanVivir pic.twitter.com/ePZnRCsv7u
— Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (@FuerzaAereaCol) September 29, 2024

For its part, the FAC had reported that he was looking for the helicopter, a Huey II with registration FAC-4441 after losing communication with the crew and that he was carrying out an aeromedical evacuation mission in the area of Cumaribo, in Vichada.

Local media report that the remains of the helicopter were found in the immense savannas of Vichada, near the hamlet of Santa Teresita del Tuparro, this being the third accident that a Colombian military helicopter suffers with fatalities this year.

In this regard the military entity said in an Instagram message “They swore service to the Fatherland and in this purpose, they gave their lives “so that others may live”. Their sacrifice and courage will never be forgotten.”