A tragic incident has occurred as a plane carrying several passengers, including a Colombian congressman, crashed, resulting in the loss of all lives on board. The aircraft, operated by Satena airline, lost communication during a flight between the Cúcuta and Ocaña municipalities in Colombia. The flight had a total of 13 passengers and two crew members. Radar data indicates that the aircraft’s last known position was in the region between Hacarí and La Playa de Belén within the Catatumbo area.
Among the casualties was Diógenes Quintero, a Colombian congressman representing special peace constituencies as part of the national legislature since 2022. He was one of the 16 congress members designated to advocate for victims of violence under the 2016 peace agreements with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The plane lost contact 11 minutes before its scheduled landing time in Ocaña on January 28.
The airline, in a translated statement, expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased passengers and crew members. The company pledged to provide humanitarian support to the families and investigate the accident. Images of the wreckage have circulated on social media, confirming the tragic outcome of the crash.
Authorities in Colombia have confirmed the fatal crash with no survivors. Families of the passengers are urged to reach out to Satena airline for further information. The flight’s last communication with air traffic control was around 4:55 PM UK time, just before its expected landing time. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Ocaña, led by Mayor Emilio Cañizares Plata, Secretary of Government Hugo Guerrero, and Airport Manager Albeiro Páez.
The Satena airline, in collaboration with Colombian authorities, is actively working to determine the cause of the crash involving the Beechcraft 1900 aircraft with registration HK-4709. Colombia’s Minister of Transport, María Fernanda Rojas, confirmed that investigations are underway by the Directorate of Accident Investigation to gather relevant information regarding the tragic event.
