Truck Bomb in Planadas, Colombia Kills Four Including Infant

A truck bomb exploded near a military base in Planadas, Tolima department, Colombia, on the night of 1 November 2026, killing four people, including a two-month-old baby girl. Tolima Governor Adriana Magali Matiz confirmed the preliminary death toll. Seventeen people were injured according to hospital reports.

The explosion occurred in the Aeropuerto neighborhood, close to the Infantry Battalion No. 17 General Domingo Caicedo. A dump truck loaded with explosives detonated in a residential area. Drones carrying explosive devices were also reported in the area. The blast damaged the local hospital, a pharmacy, and multiple homes. Streets were covered in debris. The mayor declared a curfew and evacuated the hospital. Injured people were treated at the Domingo Savio school.

Governor Matiz described the attack as a vile and criminal act. She said attacking civilians and risking soldiers and families crossed a line that would not be tolerated. President Abelardo de la Espriella has not commented specifically on this incident but condemned a separate motorcycle bomb in Huila province the previous day that killed one police officer and injured six.

Armed groups have increased attacks against security forces in recent weeks. The timing follows an offensive ordered by the new right-wing president against criminal organisations. No group has claimed responsibility. Local officials coordinated with the army and police to assess damage and provide support.

Videos from the scene show collapsed structures, fires, and residents searching through rubble. A pharmacy burned. The hospital suspended most services, keeping only emergencies and maternity operational. The curfew remains in place while investigations continue.

Planadas is in southern Tolima, an area with a history of armed group activity. The use of a large vehicle bomb combined with drones indicates a coordinated effort. Civilian casualties, including the infant, have drawn strong local condemnation. The death toll is preliminary and could rise as recovery continues.

Colombian authorities have not named suspects. The attack is part of a broader pattern of violence that includes recent incidents in Ataco and other municipalities. State forces have stepped up operations in the region. The hospital damage complicates medical response in the immediate aftermath.

Governor Matiz called for a strong response from national authorities. She expressed solidarity with the victims' families. The municipal administration is evaluating structural damage to homes and public buildings. Reconstruction and security assessments will follow the initial emergency phase.

The bomb's proximity to both military and civilian sites produced the mixed casualty profile. No military fatalities have been reported in initial accounts. The focus remains on the civilian deaths and injuries. Further forensic work will determine the exact quantity of explosives and the sequence of detonations.

Residents described two strong explosions, consistent with drone devices followed by the truck. The area remains restricted under the curfew. Aid and security personnel are on site. Updates on the injured and any additional fatalities will come from hospital and government sources as the situation stabilises.