(C) Times Now

A search is underway in Colombia after an aircraft carrying 15 people lost contact with air traffic control on the 28th (local time), according to government officials.

Minister of Transport María Fernanda Rojas stated on her X (formerly Twitter) account, "Authorities are gathering information regarding the loss of communication with an aircraft operating on the Cúcuta–Ocaña route. Emergency protocols have been activated."

According to the Minister, the aircraft was carrying 13 passengers and 2 crew members. Local daily El Espectador reported that several politicians, including Representative Diógenes Quintero, were on the passenger manifest.

The aircraft is a Beechcraft 1900, operated by the Colombian airline SATENA. In a statement, SATENA explained, "The flight took off from Cúcuta at 11:42 AM and was scheduled to land in Ocaña at 12:05 PM. However, all communication was lost at 11:54 AM." Search operations are currently being conducted in coordination with relevant authorities.

The Cúcuta and Ocaña regions are located in the Norte de Santander department in northern Colombia, near the border with Venezuela.