At least five people have survived a plane crash over a mountainous area of Colombia. 81 passengers and crew were on board the aircraft when it came down at around 10pm local time.
Three players from Brazil’s Chapecoense football team are confirmed to be among those taken to hospital for treatment. Two crew members and a journalist were also initially reported to have survived,
but one person succumbed to their injuries shortly after being rescued.
Regional Police Commader, Jose Gerardo Acevedo, told journalists:
“Six people were rescued alive, but unfortunately one died. The rest of the occupants unfortunately died. The tragic toll is 76 victims.”
In total, 22 players, 28 companions, 22 journalists and nine crew members are believed to have been on board.
The plane crashed some 30 kilometres from Medellin, where it was due to land. The cause of the crash is unknown.
Poor weather has made the crash site difficult to reach and rescuers are having to make the journey by road, authorities say.
Local mayor, Federico Gutierrez said:
“It’s very sad news. We express solidarity, of course, with their families, with their friends, with their country… Here, we continue to manage everything. It’s very sad, it’s tragic.”
The Chapecoense squad was travelling from Brazil via Bolivia for the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana – the South American equivalent of the Europa League tournament. The match was scheduled for Wednesday (November 30) against local Medellin team Atletico Nacional.
Both the game and the competition have now been cancelled.
The top league club said it would not be making any official comments until it had more information from Colombian authorities. (Euronews)
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