Colombian Lawmaker Among 15 Missing After Plane Disappearance

Colombia Search and Rescue Teams Scour Remote Jungle for Missing Plane

A commercial airliner operated by the government-run airline Satena has gone missing over the eastern border with Venezuela, leaving 15 passengers and two crew members unaccounted for. The plane, identified as HK4709, was en route from Cucuta to Ocana when it lost radar coverage 11 minutes before its scheduled landing.

According to local Air Traffic Control sources, the flight’s altitude dropped suddenly at that time. The Accident Investigation Directorate of Colombia’s AerocivilCol is gathering information on the incident and has activated protocols for emergency response.

The plane disappeared in a remote region characterized by dense jungle, which complicates search-and-rescue efforts. Among the passengers was Diogenes Quintero, a Colombian congressional representative, who was accompanied by Carlos Salcedo Salazar, a candidate running for the same seat.

Local authorities have reported that adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the disappearance. The Catatumbo region, where the plane went missing, is also an active conflict zone and has been affected by armed conflict between rebel groups in recent years.

The incident occurred on a route that began operating only last year, marking an important milestone for the region’s transportation infrastructure. Search and rescue teams are currently scouring the area to locate the missing plane and its occupants.

Source: Al Jazeera