Eight Colombian soldiers have died after a helicopter carrying them on a humanitarian mission crashed near the border with Venezuela.
The soldiers were on a mission in the eastern department of Vichada when the helicopter crashed into the ground, the countrys President Gustavo Petro confirmed on Sunday.
The Air Force reported that the helicopter was found after a search in the Garabato area in the municipality of Cumaribo, adding there were no survivors.
Images shared by Colombian media showed the burnt wreckage of the aircraft in the middle of grasslands.
The families of the crew were receiving support while a recovery mission was underway, said the Air Force.
Eight Columbian soldiers have died in a helicopter crash while on a humanitarian mission near the countrys border with Venezuela
The helicopter crashed in the eastern department of Vichada, the countrys president Gustavo Petro confirmed
Mr Petro wrote: I am sad to report the death of 8 members of the who were travelling on a humanitarian mission in the department of Vichada. Their helicopter crashed into the ground.
A hug of solidarity to their families in the midst of this news that brings mourning to the nation.
The Colombian Armed Forces confirmed the soldiers on board were Captain Julian Perilla Pinto, Second Lieutenant Édgar Durán Villareal, Second Engineer Jonattan Caro Rincón, Third Engineer Liceth Duarte Barbosa, Fourth Engineer Karel Rojas Núñez, Fourth Engineer Luis Montoya Ospina, Fourth Engineer Ana María Gutierrez Bolívar and Fourth Engineer María Gonzalez Ramírez.
A picture of the wreckage showing the words Columbian Air Force on the helicopters body
President Gustavo Petro confirmed that the helicopter had crashed into the ground
In a statement it said: With the deepest sadness we regret the death of eight soldiers of the who were aboard the helicopter FAC 4441, which was found crashed in the Garabato area, municipality of Cumaribo, Vichada.
We send a solid hug and our most sincere condolences to the families of this crew who gave their lives to the fulfilment of duty, at the time of which they were carrying out a humanitarian mission.
Units of our Colombian Air Force are proceeding with rescue work to recover their bodies.