Chilean Military Plane Crashes on Its Way to Antarctica

A Chilean military plane with 38 people on board has crashed on its way to Antarctica, according to the Chile's Air Force.

In an official statement issued earlier Tuesday, Chile’s Air Force revealed that the C130 Hercules, which took off from Punta Arenas city, was heading to President Eduardo Frei Montalva Antarctic Air Base when it disappeared, according to NBC news.

“The plane had crashed seven hours after losing radio contact,” the statement read.

“Twenty-one people aboard the plane were passengers and 17 were crew members,” the statement added.

The Air Force said it was contacting family members of those on board the plane "to keep them informed of this sad situation which affects both the force and the nation."

The plane was traveling to Antarctica to help maintain facilities at Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva, a Chilean base on the northern tip of the continent, according to an earlier statement.

The plane was scheduled to arrive at 7:17 p.m. local time, according to a projection released by the Chilean Air Force on Twitter.

Chilean President Sebastian Piñera said authorities were monitoring search and rescue efforts.

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