A Colombian aircraft disappeared shortly after departing and tragically crashed near the Venezuelan border, resulting in the deaths of all 15 individuals aboard, including a notable politician.

The Beechcraft 1900, managed by Colombia’s state-owned airline Satena, embarked on its journey from Cúcuta to Ocaña on Wednesday morning. Just 12 minutes into the anticipated 40-minute flight, communication was lost as the plane neared the treacherous border area with Venezuela.

Later that day, Satena took to X to confirm the devastating news, stating that the aircraft had been involved in a “fatal accident” and that all 13 passengers, along with two crew members, had perished.

Among the victims was Diógenes Quintero, a respected member of Colombia’s House of Representatives, alongside congressional candidate Carlos Salcedo Salaza.

Quintero’s political party released a statement on X, expressing “deep dismay at this painful loss, which casts a shadow of mourning over not only our party but the entire nation.”

The statement further described Diógenes Quintero as “a leader deeply committed to his region, possessing a steadfast dedication to service and a profound sense of public duty.”

Those identified among the passengers killed were: María Álvarez Barbosa, Carlos Salcedo, Rolando Penaloza Gualdron, María Díaz Rodríguez, Maira Avendano Rincon, Anayisel Quintero, Karen Parales Vera, Anirley Julio Osorio, Gineth Rincon, Diogenes Quintero Amaya, Natalia Acosta Salcedo Maira Sánchez Criado and Juan Pacheco Mejía.

Captain Miguel Vanegas and Captain Jose de la Cruz were identified as the two crew members among the fatalities. 

A Colombian plane operated by its state-owned airline Satena crashed near the Venezuelan border after vanishing 12 minutes after takeoff on Wednesday – killing all 15 people on board

The victims included Diógenes Quintero (pictured), a member of Colombia’s House of Representatives, and congressional candidate Carlos Salcedo Salaza

A Beechcraft 1900 took off from Cúcuta bound for Ocaña, but lost contact shortly into the 40-minute flight near the rugged Venezuelan border known for limited visibility

The airline revealed that the aircraft’s emergency beacon was not activated but offered no additional details about the cause of the deadly crash

‘From Satena, we extend our most sincere condolences with profound sorrow and our deepest solidarity to the families of our passengers and crew who lost their lives in the accident,’ the airline’s statement read.

Satena also revealed that the aircraft’s emergency beacon was not activated but offered no additional details about the cause of the deadly crash.   

‘We will make all our resources available for humanitarian assistance to their families and to clarify what happened,’ the airline added.

Flight HK-4709, operating the Cúcuta-Ocaña route, took off at 11:42am Wednesday for the short journey but seemingly vanished before its scheduled 12:05pm landing.

It remains unclear why the jet lost contact, but airport officials said flight data revealed a sudden drop in altitude just 11 minutes before its scheduled arrival at Aguas Claras Airport, as reported by The US Sun.

Once officials confirmed the flight had disappeared from radar, the airline said ‘all available resources’ were being used to locate the aircraft, which would have run out of fuel by 2pm.

Its last known signal came from the Catatumbo region – a remote, mountainous jungle notorious for dense vegetation and limited visibility. 

The area is also covered with coca plants – the raw material for cocaine – and is known to be controlled by illegal armed groups such as the National Liberation Army (ELN), as reported by Salem Radio Network News.

It remains unclear why the jet lost contact, but airport officials said flight data revealed a sudden drop in altitude just 11 minutes before its scheduled arrival at Aguas Claras Airport

Officials said the aircraft was found destroyed in a rural area of Curásica, which has been battered with recent violence – including kidnappings – and heavy rain for weeks 

Images released by local media showed the crashed plane – including apparent extensive fuselage damage – as bystanders helped medical crews recover victims from the wreckage 

Other photos showed bags piled at the crash site

Other photos showed members of Quintero’s campaign team visibly grieving

The Colombian Aerospace Force, National Army, and charter company Searca launched aerial searches over the area where the plane’s final signal was registered, as well as along its planned flight route. 

The government also assisted in the search, establishing a Power Management Unit (PMU) to coordinate efforts, according to Express News. 

Just before 5:30pm, the president of the Community Action Board of Curásica, in La Playa de Belén, reported to the airline that the plane had crashed, leaving no one alive. 

Officials said the aircraft was found destroyed in a rural area of Curásica, near the border with Venezuela, as reported by BNO News.

Weeks of heavy rain have battered the area, which has also seen recent violence, including targeted killings, kidnappings and forced displacement of civilians, according to local newspaper El Tiempo. 

Officials in Curasica informed authorities of the plane’s location, and a rescue team was dispatched to assess the condition of those on board. 

Images released by local media showed the crashed plane – including apparent extensive fuselage damage.

Another image captured bystanders helping medical crews recover victims from the wreckage. 

Officials in Curasica informed authorities of the plane’s crashed location, and a rescue team was dispatched to assess the condition of those on board

The plane’s last known signal before losing contact came from the Catatumbo region – a remote, mountainous jungle notorious for dense vegetation and limited visibility

Local images showed armed guards overseeing vehicles transporting the victims’ remains

Other photos showed bags piled at the crash site, armed guards overseeing vehicles transporting the victims’ remains and members of Quintero’s campaign team visibly grieving. 

Satena, a key carrier for government officials and tourists alike, connects the capital with small regional airports throughout Colombia’s 32 states. 

The investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing and no official cause has yet been released.