WASHINGTON

At least 66 people were killed Monday when a Colombian military plane carrying 125 people crashed in the south of the country, according to local media.

The Hercules C-130 plane with 114 army personnel and 11 crew on board crashed just after taking off from Puerto Leguizamo, Putumayo.

President Gustavo Petro said earlier that the cause of the incident is unknown.

While authorities mobilize to respond to the accident and determine the cause of the crash, the Defense Ministry has activated all protocols to provide assistance to victims and their families.

"I express my most sincere condolences to the families of those affected and, out of respect for their grief, I urge avoiding speculation until official information is available," Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said.