Caracas, Jan 29: A tragic plane crash near Colombia’s border with Venezuela on Wednesday has claimed the lives of all 15 people onboard, including 13 passengers and two crew members, according to Colombia’s civil aviation authority.


The aircraft, operated by state-run airline Satena, had departed from the border city of Cucuta and was en route to Ocana when it lost contact with air traffic control shortly before its scheduled landing around noon. Authorities later confirmed that there were no survivors.


The crash occurred in a mountainous region notorious for unpredictable weather conditions and areas under the influence of Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).


The Colombian Air Force was immediately deployed to locate the wreckage and recover the bodies.


Among the victims were lawmaker Diogenes Quintero and legislative candidate Carlos Salcedo, both of whom were traveling with their teams. Local parliamentarian Wilmer Carrillo expressed deep concern over the loss, calling it a devastating blow to the region.


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The ill-fated aircraft was identified as a Beechcraft 1900 twin-propeller plane. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash, as the nation mourns the sudden loss of lives in this tragic accident.