A small passenger plane crashed in a remote region of northeastern Colombia on Wednesday, killing all 15 people aboard, including a local lawmaker and a political candidate, authorities confirmed.

The state‑owned airline Satena said it lost contact with the aircraft shortly after takeoff.

A Beechcraft 1900 twin‑engine turboprop operated by Colombia’s state airline Satena took off before noon from Cúcuta, near the Venezuelan border, on a short flight to Ocaña in the North Santander department. Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft about 12 minutes into the flight, the airline said.

Officials said the plane’s emergency beacon did not activate, and no immediate cause for the crash has been released. Rescue and investigation teams were deployed once the wreckage was located.

Among the 15 people killed were Diógenes Quintero, a 36‑year‑old member of the Colombian House of Representatives representing the Catatumbo region, and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate running for Congress ahead of the March elections, according to passenger lists released by the airline. Their deaths have been widely mourned.

Quintero was known as a human rights lawyer and regional leader, elected in 2022 to represent victims of Colombia’s long civil conflict under peace accord provisions. Salcedo was also involved in politics, seeking a legislative seat.

Crash site and search efforts

The aircraft was discovered in a mountainous, dense jungle area near Curasica and Playa de Belén, complicating recovery efforts. Local media images showed the Beechcraft badly damaged, with significant fuselage destruction.

The region is known for coca cultivation and has a history of activity by illegal armed groups, adding challenges for investigators. The Colombian aerospace force and civil aviation authorities are leading the formal investigation into the crash.

Colombia’s Transport Ministry expressed sorrow over the tragedy and said protocols for emergency response were activated. President Gustavo Petro extended condolences to the families and vowed support for the investigation.

Political parties and regional leaders have also issued statements mourning the loss of Quintero and Salcedo, highlighting their service and dedication to their communities.