Air Force: "On board the plane were 38 people; of which 17 were crew members and 21 passengers" • The plane made its way to King George's Island in Antarctica

• British Air Force Herculean C130 aircraft // Photo Archive: APP

The Chile Air Force announced a serious incident that took place tonight (Tuesday) as the Air Force transport plane disappeared as it made its way to the Antarctic base. On board the plane were 38 people, who at this stage are defined as missing.

More on:

Why are jumbo jets being retired?

Expect: An aircraft engine caught fire during a flight

Documentation from the cockpit: A light aircraft crashed in the south

The Hercules C130 plane took off around 5 pm from the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas, and its connection with it was lost shortly after 6 p.m. "On board the Hercules C130 aircraft there were 38 people, 17 of whom were crew members of the aircraft, and 21 people were passengers," the Chile Air Force statement said.

An emergency alert was announced after communications with the aircraft were lost and search and rescue teams were activated. The aircraft flew to the South Pole to carry out logistical operations to maintain Chile's military base on King George's Island.