Brazilian plane carrying players crashes in Colombia
There were 72 passengers and nine crew on board the charter plane, which was carrying the team to Medellin for their match against Atletico Nacional in the finals of the Copa Sudamericana, due to be played on Wednesday evening.
Officials from the airport reported only six survivors in a statement.
The plane had declared an emergency due to power failure before losing contact with the control tower.
Colombia has been hit by heavy storms which are hampering rescue efforts.
“The site of the accident is only accessible by land due to climatic conditions and low visibility,” a statement from the airport said. “The Colombian Air Force deployed a search and rescue helicopter which had to cancel the mission due to the adverse conditions.
“According to the authorities the police are mobilising all possible help since they are reporting six survivors.”
Officials said the plane was carrying 72 passengers and nine crew members.
Chapecoense had reached the finals of the Copa Sudamericana by beating Argentina’s San Lorenzo over two legs in the semi-finals, which concluded last week.
Before the airport’s statement, Atletico Nacional had said on Twitter: “National deeply regret and sympathise with @ChapecoenseReal for the accident which has happened and await information from authorities.”
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) expressed its alarm as details of the crash emerged.
It said in a statement: “The South American Football Confederation confirms it has been notified by Colombian authorities that the plane in which the Chapecoense delegation was travelling had an accident on its arrival in Colombia.
“We are in contact with the authorities and awaiting official news.
“The CONMEBOL family greatly regrets what happened. All activities of the confederation are suspended until further notice. President Alejandro Dominguez is on his way to Medellin.”
A statement from Chapecoense said the club were waiting for full details of the accident.
The statement noted that different information was emerging through various sources, and said: “Chapecoense Football Club, through its vice-president Ivan Tozzo, reserves the right to wait for the official announcement from the Colombian air authority, in order to issue any official note about the accident.
“God be with our athletes, management, journalists and other guests who are with the delegation.”
Newspaper El Colombiano reported the plane went missing at around 10pm local time on Monday (3am GMT Tuesday).
The same newspaper said one footballer was among the survivors and had been taken to hospital.
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