UPDATE: Of the six survivors in Colombia plane clash, one has unfortunately passed away.
Several media outfits are reporting that only five people survived as the remaining 76 people on board lost their lives.
Confirming the death toll and the number of survivors, Jose Gerardo Acevedo, regional police commander said according to The Guardia: “Six people were rescued alive, but unfortunately one died. The rest of the occupants unfortunately died. The tragic toll is 76 victims.”
Among the survivors are Alan Ruschel, a defender for Chapecoense. He has been taken to a nearby
hospital in stable condition.
hospital in stable condition.
Goalkeepers Marcos Danilo and Jakson Follmann also survived, along with a flight attendant.
A plane carrying a Brazilian football club Chapecoense has reportedly crashed in Colombia, BBC reports.
According to the reports, the flight was transporting the team to Medellin airport in Colombia from Bolivia, when it disappeared off radar.
The flight was transporting the Chapocoense football team to Medellin airport when it crashed
It was gathered that the plane was carrying 72 passengers from Chapecoense football team with nine other crew onboard.
Airport authorities state 72 passengers from Chapecoense football team and 9 crew onboard #LMI2933. flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/…
But it reportedly crashed due to lack of fuel at around 10.15pm local time.
However, fresh reports indicates that 25 dead have been reported dead but there are six survivors. But poor weather has meant that the crash site, in a mountainous area, is only accessible by land.
Rescuers arrive by land
Chapecoense are thought to have been heading to the final of the South American football championship.
The team was due to play in the final against Medellin team Atletico Nacional but the final has now been suspended.
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 South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) said it was suspending “all activities”.
Chapecoense has issued a brief statement 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.
The team, from the southern 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 further suggest that at least two members of the team – Alan Ruschel and Danilo – may have survived.
The sports network Telemundo Deportes tweeted (in Spanish) that Ruschel was in shock but conscious and talking, and asked to keep his wedding ring and to see his family.
The video below shows the team celebrating their qualification to the final.
Medellin’s Mayor Federico Gutierrez described it as “a tragedy of huge proportions”, but added it was possible there were survivors. Earlier in the day, the club posted a picture of the team after boarding the flight.
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