A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday in the rural region of Norte de Santander province in northeastern Colombia as a small aircraft crashed, claiming the lives of all 15 individuals on board, including a member of the congress, as confirmed by authorities.
The state-owned airline, Satena, managing the flight, received notification from the Curasica community regarding the crash site, prompting a swift deployment of a rescue team to evaluate the passengers’ condition. Subsequently, the Transportation Ministry of Colombia issued a statement revealing that no survivors were found after locating the aircraft.
The fateful journey commenced at 11:42 a.m. local time from Cucuta airport, situated in the department, en route to Ocana, a mountainous municipality, with an average flight duration of approximately 40 minutes.
Preliminary reports from Satena disclosed that the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after departure. While the cause of the crash remains undisclosed, authorities have assured a thorough investigation into the matter.
The ill-fated flight hosted two crew members and 13 passengers, notably including Diogènes Quintero, aged 36, a distinguished human rights advocate and member of the House of Representatives representing Catatumbo. Tragically, the accident transpired in the border region with Venezuela, where Quintero hailed from.
Quintero, a lawyer by profession, secured his position in 2022 as one of the 16 representatives in the lower house, championing the cause of over nine million victims affected by Colombia’s prolonged armed conflict. This initiative stemmed from the historic 2016 peace accord between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla group.
The U Party, to which Quintero belonged, expressed profound sorrow over his untimely demise, lauding him as a dedicated leader with a strong commitment to public service. Colombian President Gustavo Petro extended his condolences via social media, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss and offering prayers for the departed souls.
