11 killed in Colombia military plane crash

Bogota: The crash on Friday of a Colombian airforce plane has killed 11 people officials said, blaming the accident on mechanical problems.

Earlier in the day, President Juan Manuel Santos had announced that 12 people died in the mishap, but officials walked that figure back a short time later.

Santos, in a Twitter message, expressed "regret" over the deadly accident and offered condolences to the families of those who died.

The Colombian leader said the military transport plane signaled that it was experiencing engine problems prior to the crash, which had no survivors.

The plane crashed in Las Palomas region, some 800 kilometers (500 miles) northeast of Bogota. (AFP)