By By: Staff Writer
At least 82 people are feared dead following two separate aircraft crashes in the United States and Colombia, with authorities racing to determine the full extent of casualties as rescue and recovery operations continue.
The two tragic incidents occurred on Monday, thousands of miles apart, sending shockwaves through both nations.
Air Canada Flight Crashes in New York
In the United States, an Air Canada flight from Montreal went down near LaGuardia Airport, prompting an emergency response and an ongoing investigation into the cause.
Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau described the incident as devastating for the airline.
“Today is a very sombre day at Air Canada. We express our deepest sorrow for everyone affected — passengers, crew, and their families,” he said in a video statement.
The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members. Authorities confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot were among those killed, while the number of injured passengers remains unclear.
Rousseau noted that many questions remain unanswered.
“There are still many questions at this early stage, and we do not yet have all the answers,” he added.
The airline has since deployed a special assistance team to support victims and their families.
Military Plane Down in Remote Colombia
Meanwhile, in southern Colombia near the border with Peru, a military transport aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Puerto Leguízamo.
The aircraft, identified as a C-130 Hercules, was carrying dozens of soldiers at the time. Initial reports suggest around 80 troops were on board, though some estimates place the number even higher.
Colombia’s Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed the tragic development.
“The plane suffered a tragic accident while it was taking off… transporting troops of our security forces,” he said.
Emergency response has been complicated by the remote location, with locals reportedly helping transport injured soldiers to hospitals using motorbikes.
President Petro Reacts
Reacting to the crash, Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed concern over the potential loss of life while criticizing delays in upgrading military equipment.
“I hope that we won’t have fatalities in this horrendous accident,” Petro said, adding that “the lives of our young people are at stake.”
Investigations Ongoing
Authorities in both countries say investigations are underway to determine the causes of the crashes, while families await confirmation of casualties.
The twin disasters mark one of the deadliest days in recent aviation incidents across the Americas, raising fresh concerns about air safety and operational risks in both civilian and military aviation.
