The plane crashed in a mountainous area on its way to Medellin. Photo Credit: TELEANTIOQUIA VIA TWITTER
76 people have now been confirmed by police to have been killed in Tuesday’s plane crash involving the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense.
The plan carrying 81 peope crashed in Colombia killing 76 people. “Six people were rescued alive, but unfortunately one died. The rest of the occupants unfortunately died. The tragic toll is 76 victims,” Jose Gerardo Acevedo, regional police commander, told journalists
The aircraft crashed while approaching the city of Medellin in Colombia. The cause of the crash is still unknown.
#UPDATE: At least 6 survivors, 10 being treated at the scene, cause of crash still unknown: reports #Chapecoense pic.twitter.com/qLB45mogMI
— People’s Daily,China (@PDChina) November 29, 2016
The chartered plane was flying from Bolivia with members of the Chapecoense football team. The team was due to play in the final of the Copa Sudamericana against Medellin team Atletico Nacional.
The first leg of the final of the cup, South America’s second most important club competition, was scheduled for Wednesday, but has now been suspended.
The team, from the city of Chapeco, was promoted to Brazil’s first division in 2014 and reached the final last week after a victory against Argentina’s San Lorenzo.
Reports say the plane, carrying 72 passengers and nine crew, crashed in a mountainous area outside the city shortly before midnight local time (05:00 GMT).
Medellin’s Mayor Federico Gutierrez described it as “a tragedy of huge proportions”, but added it was possible there were survivors.
Brazilian news organizations reported 21 journalists had been on board.
Source: Africafeeds.com with additional material from the BBC and Reuters
