A small passenger plane crashed on Wednesday in northeastern Colombia, killing all 15 people on board, authorities confirmed.
The aircraft, operated by Colombia-owned airline Satena, had departed the border city of Cúcuta and was headed to Ocaña when contact was lost shortly after takeoff.
The flight was carrying 13 passengers and two crew members. Among the victims was Diógenes Quintero Amaya, a 36-year-old member of the Colombian House of Representatives representing the Catatumbo region, known for his work on human rights and peacebuilding, according to dw.com.
Also on board was Carlos Salcedo, a congressional candidate ahead of upcoming elections.
Rescue teams located the wreckage in a remote, mountainous area near the Venezuelan border in Norte de Santander province, where officials confirmed that there were no survivors.
Colombian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, though no definitive reason has yet been released. The incident has prompted an outpouring of condolences from political leaders, including President Gustavo Petro, who expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life.
The tragedy comes as a stark reminder of the risks associated with flying in rugged terrain and variable weather conditions, particularly in remote regions of the Andes.
