BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Forensic experts in Colombia worked Wednesday to identify the remains of 69 security forces killed in a military transport plane crash in the country's southwest, while authorities investigated the cause of the accident.
Alfridis Julio waited outside the forensic institute in the Colombian capital of Bogota to seek information about his son, 19-year-old soldier Kaleth Julio Severiche, who was on a list of the dead in Monday's accident in Putomayo province, but whose remains have not yet been confirmed. He was traveling home on leave to reunite with family when the accident occurred.
“My head is spinning. I don’t know what to do but wait,” Julio told The Associated Press.
The Hercules C-130 crashed shortly after taking off from the airport in Puerto Leguízamo at 9:40 a.m. local time. It crashed a minute later about 1.8 kilometers (1.1 mile) from the airport runway, according to the Colombian Aerospace Force.
Local residents were the first to arrive on the scene, recording footage showing a black cloud of smoke and flames. Some civilians helped rescue the injured, transporting them to medical centers on motorcycles.
While there were conflicting initial numbers on the number of deaths and people aboard the plane, the Defense Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that 67 members of the armed forces and two policemen were killed in the accident. Their bodies were all taken to Bogota for identification.
The Hercules C-130, with tail number FAC 1016, was donated by the U.S. to Colombia in 2020 under a cooperation agreement that also included the donation of two other used Hercules planes.
In 2023, the plane went through a detailed revision known as an overhaul, in which its engines were inspected and key components were replaced.
The Colombian Air Force is investigating the crash, though no timeframe for any outcome has been set.
Analysts will examine data from the aircraft’s two onboard recorders, which captured critical information including altitude, speed, and cockpit voice recordings.
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
The family of a soldier who died on cargo plane that crashed shortly after takeoff in Puerto Leguizamo stand outside the Forensic Medicine Institute that will return his remains in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Alfridis Julio, the father of soldier Kaleth Julio, who died on the cargo plane that crashed shortly after takeoff in Puerto Leguizamo, wipes tears as he speaks to the press outside the Forensic Medicine Institute that will return remains to families in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
NEW DELHI (AP) — India raised fuel prices by 3 rupees ($0.03) per liter Friday as the government moved to offset losses due to higher global oil prices.
In New Delhi, gasoline prices rose to 97.77 rupees ($1.17) a liter, while diesel climbed to 90.67 rupees ($1.09) a liter.
India imports about 90% of its oil and has been hit hard by rising energy prices and supply disruptions linked to the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It had until now avoided raising retail fuel prices despite sharp increases in energy costs, making it one of the last major economies to pass higher crude prices on to consumers.
The price increases came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to adopt voluntary austerity measures.
Modi on Sunday called on people to work from home where possible, limit foreign travel and reduce purchases of gold. He described fuel conservation and saving foreign exchange as an act of “patriotism,” and encouraged greater use of public transportation, carpooling and lower fertilizer consumption.
Opposition leaders said Modi’s appeal came only after a key round of state elections had concluded, noting that fuel prices were kept unchanged during the campaign.
Manoj Kumar, a 48-year-old taxi driver in New Delhi, said the rise in fuel prices was adding to the strain on working-class people.
“For common people like us, even one rupee has great value. People work so hard from morning till evening just to make ends meet. The government is not seeing this," he said.
Earlier this week, India also raised import duties on gold and silver to 15% in an effort to curb demand for imports that drain foreign exchange reserves.
The Indian rupee has fallen to record lows in recent weeks as higher oil prices increased pressure on imports and foreign exchange reserves.
Meanwhile, India’s capital has become the first state to roll out austerity measures.
Authorities in New Delhi on Thursday announced fuel-saving measures, including mandatory work-from-home days for some government employees. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the 90-day campaign aims to reduce official fuel use and encourage people in the capital to rely more on public transportation instead of private vehicles.
Under the plan, employees whose work can be done remotely will work from home two days a week, while private companies are being encouraged to adopt similar measures voluntarily.
India has also accelerated ethanol blending in gasoline as part of its push to cut crude oil imports.
Most fuel stations across the country now sell gasoline blended with 20% ethanol, and the government has proposed expanding the use of fuels containing 85% — or even 100% — ethanol in compatible vehicles.
Energy experts said blending biofuel can help shield from global energy shocks but can lead to further stressing already depleting groundwater resources, encroach on land meant for food crops and impact older vehicles’ engines.
AP journalists Sibi Arasu in Bengaluru, India and Shonal Ganguly in New Delhi contributed to this report.
A commuter monitors the meter as an attendant refuels his vehicle at a filling station in New Delhi, India, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Shonal Ganguly)
A commuter monitors the meter as an attendant refuels his scooter at a filling station in New Delhi, India, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Shonal Ganguly)
