A commercial jet carrying 15 people gone missing near Colombia-Venezuela border.
BOGOTÁ, Colombia – A major search and rescue operation has been launched in northeastern Colombia after a commercial flight carrying 15 people disappeared from radar on Wednesday morning.
The state-owned airline SATENA confirmed in an official statement that flight NSE 8849, traveling from Cúcuta to Ocaña, lost contact with air traffic control at 11:54 a.m. local time, just twelve minutes after takeoff.
Key Details of the Disappearance
The aircraft, a Beechcraft 1900 (registration HK4709), was operated by the charter company SEARCA on behalf of SATENA.
- Onboard: 13 passengers and 2 crew members.
- Route: Cúcuta (Camilo Daza Airport) to Ocaña (Aguas Claras Airport).
- Last Contact: Reported at 11:54 a.m., roughly 11 minutes before its scheduled landing.
Reports indicate the plane was flying at approximately 7,900 feet over the Catatumbo region—a mountainous and densely forested area near the Venezuelan border—when it vanished between the municipalities of Ábrego and Hacarí.
High-Profile Passengers Reported
Local media and official sources have identified several prominent figures among the passengers, including:
- Diógenes Quintero: A member of the Colombian House of Representatives.
- Carlos Salcedo: A candidate for the House of Representatives.
The presence of political figures has added further urgency to the search efforts in a region known for its challenging terrain and the presence of various armed groups.
Emergency Response
SATENA has activated its emergency protocols in coordination with the Colombian Aerospace Force and the Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil).
“SATENA has activated all available resources… to advance efforts to locate the aircraft,” the airline stated. They have also established a dedicated emergency line for family members: (+57 601) 919 3333.
The Colombian Aerospace Force is reportedly deploying search aircraft to the last known coordinates, though low visibility and the rugged geography of the Catatumbo mountains may hamper initial aerial efforts.
UPDATE
None of the 15 people on board survived.
