Colombian Air Force plane crashes with scores of soldiers on board

A Colombian Air Force plane has crashed in the south of the country, near the border with Peru.

Colombian military officials says around 80 soldiers were on board the aircraft at the time of the accident.

The plane, a Hercules used for transporting troops, came down near the town of Puerto Leguízamo, in Putumayo province.

Rescue workers have been dispatched to the area.

Colombia's defence minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the plane had suffered "a tragic accident while it was taking off from Puerto Leguízamo, transporting troops of our security forces".

He said that the exact number of victims was not yet known but described the incident as "deeply sad for the country".

Images shared by local media show a plume of smoke rising from the site and trucks carrying soldiers heading to the area.