A plane crash in northeastern Colombia has claimed the lives of all 15 people on board, including Colombian congressman Diógenes Quintero, authorities confirmed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
The aircraft, a Beechcraft 1900 operated by state-owned airline Satena, lost contact with air traffic control shortly after departing from Cúcuta en route to Ocaña. Emergency services later confirmed that the plane crashed in a rural area of La Playa de Belén, in Norte de Santander department, with no survivors.
Among the victims was Quintero, a member of Congress representing Colombia’s “special peace constituencies,” which were created to give conflict-affected regions political representation following the country’s peace process. He was travelling with his assistant at the time of the crash.
The U Party, under which Quintero served, described him as a committed leader who worked tirelessly for the development of his region and the promotion of peace. Colleagues across the political divide paid tribute to his dedication to public service and community development.
The Governor’s Office of Norte de Santander also expressed condolences to the families of the victims, describing the crash as a tragic loss for the region and the country.
Search and rescue efforts involved multiple aircraft and ground teams, with the wreckage eventually located in a mountainous and hard-to-access area. Authorities said challenging terrain and weather conditions complicated the operation.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing. Officials have indicated that adverse weather conditions and possible technical failure are among the factors being considered, though no official conclusion has been reached.
Satena and Colombia’s civil aviation authority said further details will be released once investigations are completed.
