Colombian military personnel die

A Colombian military plane has crashed, killing all 11 people on board, according to the nation’s air force.

The CASA-235 reported an engine failure before crashing in Agustin Codazzi, about 370 miles (600 km) north of Bogota, CNN reported citing officials.

He added that the aircraft’s wreckage was found on a ranch in the northern province of Cesar.

Local media said the aircraft was struck by a lightning bolt after taking off from the Caribbean port city of Barranquilla.

Earlier in the day, President Juan Manuel Santos had announced that 12 people died in the mishap, but officials walked that figure back a short time later.

“My coronary heart is heavy with ache for the lack of these heroes who in achievement of their constitutional mandate have now flown a lot larger to hitch the heavenly squadron alongside the almighty”, Bueno stated in short remarks. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use.

Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.