A passenger plane crashed in Colombia, killing 15 people, including a member of the country’s parliament. The crash occurred at noon local time on Wednesday.
The Beechcraft 1900 twin-propeller aircraft, owned by state-owned airline Satena, was en route from the Venezuelan city of Cucuta to Ocaña. The plane was carrying 13 passengers and two crew members, including Colombian MP Diogenes Quintero. No one on board is believed to have survived the crash.
The SATENA authorities said that after entering the airspace of Ocaña, the control tower lost contact with the plane. The plane later crashed and exploded. The death of the slain MP was confirmed by local MP Willem Carrillo.
The crash site is in a mountainous and weather-prone area. Although the area is under the control of an armed group, there is no evidence linking the crash to any attacks.
A Colombian Air Force rescue team has been sent to recover the plane and the remains of the victims.