A military helicopter crashed in Choco, northwestern Colombia, killing four soldiers on their way to "bring food" to other soldiers in that region, where illegal armed groups have a strong presence.

Choco Department Civil Defense Director Manuel Lozano said "A helicopter-type aircraft of the Colombian Army fell to the ground due to technical failures, apparently, where it had been providing logistical support to the (military) Brigade. And the information we have is that there were four crew members."

Colombia's Defence minister Ivan Velasquez said "Accident whose causes are the subject of investigation and in a timely manner we will provide information on the results of this investigation

"We express our condolences to their families, to accompany these moments of anguish," he added.