Antarctica-bound plane missing with 38 on board
The aircraft was travelling to perform logistical support tasks for the maintenance of Chilean facilities at the Antarctic base
The Chilean Air Force reported on Monday the disappearance of one of its cargo planes that were headed to a base in Antarctica with 38 people on board.
The Hercules C130 aircraft took off at 4:55 p. (1955 GMT) from the southern city of Punta Arenas and operators lost contact with it shortly after 6:00 p.m.
"Onboard the C130 Hercules is 38 people, of which 17 are crew members of the aircraft and 21 are passengers," the Air Force said in a statement.
A state of alert was declared after communication with the plane was lost, and a search and rescue team was activated.
The aircraft was travelling to perform logistical support tasks for the maintenance of Chilean facilities at the Antarctic base.