Dreadful news is emanating from Colombia this morning that a plane carrying Brazilian team Chapecoense crashed overnight while en route to Medellin airport, killing almost everybody on board.
Colombian police have since confirmed that from a total of 81, only five people survived the crash, which happened in the mountainous area of La Union, around 20 miles from the airport.
General Acevedo confirmed the terrible news: 76 died in the plane crash. It’s official.
— Martin Mazur (@martinmazur) November 29, 2016
Jose Gerardo Acevedo, the regional police commander, told local media:
Six people were rescued alive, but unfortunately one died. The rest of the occupants unfortunately died.
The tragic toll is 76 victims.
The grim details continue to filter through…
Survivors are 5: footballers Danilo, Follmann, Alan Rushel, journalist Rafael Henzel and crew member Ximena Suárez. https://t.co/mcxKWfsGql
— Martin Mazur (@martinmazur) November 29, 2016
The team were flying into Colombia to play Atletico Nacional in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final on Wednesday night.
CONMEBOL have now confirmed that the finals and “all federation activities” have been suspended until further notice.
It’s difficult to put this in words. Chapecoense died tonight. The team, the board, the coaching staff, the journalists.
— Martin Mazur (@martinmazur) November 29, 2016
This is the team, celebrating en masse after reaching the Copa Sudamericana final last week…
Era la mejor semana de su historia, la primera con el premio de una Final.
Así festejaban hace 5 días#Chapecoensepic.twitter.com/UhEdOtE5C6— José David López (@josedavidlopez_) November 29, 2016
Such a terrible tragedy. Truly heartbreaking.