Colombian lawmaker among 15 killed in plane crash near Venezuela border
Local media reported that the wreckage was located on Thursday and that no one on board survived. Lawmaker Diogenes Quintero and members of his team were on board the plane, along with Carlos Salcedo, a congressional candidate for the upcoming March elections, according to the airline's passenger list.
A small plane crash in northeast Colombia on Thuesday killed all 15 people on board, including a local lawmaker and an election candidate, stateowned airline Satena and aviation authorities confirmed.
The Beechcraft 1900, operating as Satena Flight NSE 8849, lost contact with air traffic control minutes before its scheduled landing in Ocana, sparking an urgent search operation over the remote and mountainous Catatumbo region.
The aircraft was found after an extensive search by Colombia’s aviation and military authorities. Local media reported that the wreckage was located on Thursday and that no one on board survived, though formal confirmation from government officials was still expected.
The plane had been carrying 13 passengers and two crew members when communication was lost shortly before its anticipated arrival at around 12:05 pm (local time). Search and rescue teams mobilised both air and ground assets over challenging terrain to locate the missing jet.
Lawmaker Diogenes Quintero and members of his team were on board the plane, along with Carlos Salcedo, a congressional candidate for the upcoming March elections, according to the airline’s passenger list.
State-owned airline Satena said earlier that security and search protocols had been activated as soon as the aircraft’s disappearance was detected. The flight took off from Cucuta at about 11:42 am and last made contact at 11:54 am before vanishing from radar.
Local media released images of the crash site, showing the aircraft with extensive damage to the fuselage.
Authorities have not yet released detailed information on the cause of the accident or the precise circumstances leading to the disappearance and subsequent crash. Investigators with Colombia’s civil aviation agency are expected to comb the wreckage for clues as part of an official inquiry.
The area where the plane disappeared is known for its mountainous terrain and difficult weather conditions, which officials said may have complicated the search and rescue effort from the outset.
The office of the governor of Norte de Santander expressed its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred following the aircraft accident confirmed in the last few hours in the rural area of La Playa de Belen. We express our solidarity and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the victims,” the office said.