A plane carrying 72 people including football players from Brazil has crashed on its way to Medellin’s international airport in Colombia, reported news agency AP.
AFP too reported similar story.
Medellin’s international airport said on its Twitter account that the aircraft had departed from Bolivia.
Its tweet said there were some survivors and the plane was carrying 72 passengers and nine crew members.
The tweet read, “According to first reports, the aircraft (registration TT2933) were 72 passengers and nine crew. Authorities are already in place.”
Según primeros reportes, en la aeronave (matrícula TT2933) viajaban 72 pasajeros y nueve tripulantes. Autoridades ya están en el lugar.
— José María Córdova (@AeropuertoMDE) November 29, 2016
Confirmado, la aeronave con matrícula CP2933 * transportaba al equipo @ChapecoenseReal. Al parecer hay sobrevivientes.
— José María Córdova (@AeropuertoMDE) November 29, 2016
Local media reported that the charter aircraft was carrying members of the soccer team Chapecoense from Brazil, which is scheduled to play Copa Sudamerica finals against Atletico Nacional on Wednesday in Medellin.
The club had earlier posted this photo of team travelling in the plane;
Fuerza a los jugadores de Chapecoense, sus familias y sus seguidores. El Fútbol está de luto. pic.twitter.com/0tA0pmRYTf
— Andres Felipe Arcos (@AndresFelipe) November 29, 2016
The city’s mayor Federico Gutierrez told Blu Radio that there may some survivors
He said, “It’s a tragedy of huge proportions.”
Although the exact reasons for the plane crash are not yet known, a statement by the Colombian airport said that the plane had developed ‘power failure.’
BBC quoted a brief statement issued by Chapecoense as saying, “May God be with our athletes, officials, journalists and other guests travelling with our delegation.”
It said it would refrain from any further statements until it had assessed the extent of the crash.
Reports suggest that at least two members of the team – Alan Ruschel and Danilo – may have survived.
This a breaking story, please return for more updates.
