Colombian , Jan 29 : Colombian authorities on Wednesday confirmed that no survivors were found after a plane carrying 15 people crashed shortly after takeoff, according to the country’s Civil Aeronautics Authority.
The aircraft had 13 passengers and two crew members on board. Among those killed was Colombian congressman Diógenes Quintero, his political party said.
Quintero’s communications team said contact was lost with him and his assistant after the plane disappeared from radar. The last known location of their mobile phones was recorded at Camilo Daza Airport in Cúcuta before departure.
Quintero had served in the national legislature since 2022 and represented one of the special peace constituencies, seats created under the 2016 peace accord to represent victims of the conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
In a statement, his party described him as a leader deeply committed to public service and to the development of his region.
The plane, operated by state-run airline Satena, was flying from Cúcuta to Ocaña in the northeastern department of Norte de Santander. Authorities said the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff.
Satena reported that the flight departed at 11:42 a.m. and was scheduled to land at around 12:05 p.m. Its last contact with air traffic control was recorded at 11:54 a.m., roughly nine minutes after takeoff.
The wreckage was later located in a rural area of La Playa de Belén following a search operation involving multiple aircraft. The Norte de Santander governor’s office expressed condolences to the families of the victims, calling the crash a tragic loss.
