Plane Crash Near Colombia-Venezuela Border Claims Lives of All 15 On Board
All 15 people aboard Satena Flight NSE 8849 perished when their Beechcraft 1900 crashed in the rugged Catatumbo mountains. Among the victims is renowned human rights defender and Congressman Diógenes Quintero.
A small commercial aircraft operated by state-owned airline Satena crashed in a remote mountainous region near the Colombia-Venezuela border, killing all 15 people on board, according to Colombian authorities and the airline.
The Beechcraft 1900 twin-engined turboprop, designated as Flight NSE 8849 (registration HK-4709), was carrying 13 passengers and two crew members when it lost contact with air traffic control approximately 12 minutes after departing from Cúcuta, en route to the nearby town of Ocaña.
The wreckage was located in the Catatumbo region, a dense jungle area known for its challenging terrain, adverse weather conditions, and ongoing conflicts involving rebel groups, which complicated search and rescue efforts.
Debris was discovered near La Playa de Belén and Cúcuta, with no reports of survivors.
The plane's emergency beacon was not activated, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation by Colombia's Civil Aeronautics Authority.
Among the victims were Diógenes Quintero, a 36-year-old Colombian congressman and human rights defender representing the Catatumbo region in the House of Representatives, and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate for Congress in the upcoming March elections. Quintero held a seat reserved for conflict victims and was known for his advocacy in the troubled border area.
The flight had taken off around 11:42 a.m. local time and was scheduled to land shortly after noon.
Colombian military and rescue teams continue recovery efforts amid the difficult conditions.