On January 28, a small plane crashed in a rural area of Norte de Santander province, northeastern Colombia, killing all 15 people on board, including a local MP.
Satena - a state-owned airline operating the flight - said that local authorities in the Curasica community have notified functional agencies about the crash site, and a rescue team has been deployed to "assess the condition of passengers".
The Colombian Ministry of Transport then issued a statement stating: "After determining the location of the plane at the scene, the authorities are very sorry to confirm that there were no survivors.
Flight number HK4709 took off at 11:42 am (local time) from the airport in Cucuta, the capital of Norte de Santander province, towards Ocaña - a city located in the middle of the mountains. This flight usually lasts about 40 minutes.
According to Satena's announcement, the last contact between the plane and air traffic control took place just minutes after takeoff.
Colombian authorities have not announced the cause of the accident, but said they will conduct an investigation.
The plane was carrying 2 crew members and 13 passengers, including Congressman Diogenes Quintero - who represents victims of armed conflict in the region.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his condolences on social network X, and "sent his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, wishing them peace of mind".
Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez also posted a message expressing condolences for the passing of Mr. Quintero, and sent "sincere condolences to the families who are suffering irreparable losses, causing the whole country to be mired in mourning".
