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Rescuers can only reach
the crash site by land - local media picture. MI ORIENTE
|
A plane carrying 81
people, including a top Brazilian football team, has crashed on its approach to
the city of Medellin in Colombia.
BBC News report continues: |
The
team were due to play in the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana. AFP
|
Police
say five people survived the crash but the rest of those on board died.
The
chartered aircraft was carrying 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
South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) said it was suspending
"all activities".
Chapecoense
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.
Later
the team's vice-president, Ivan Tozzo, told cable channal SportTV: "There
are a lot of people crying in our city, we could never imagine this.
Chapecoense is the biggest reason for joy here."
One
of the survivors was confirmed as Chapecoense defender Alan Ruschel.
Reports
suggest that at least two other footballers - goalkeepers Jackson Follman and
Danilo - may have survived, as well as physiotherapist Rafael Gobbato.
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
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.
The
British Aerospace 146 short-haul plane, operated by Bolivian charter airline
Lamia and carrying 72 passengers and nine crew, crashed in Cerro Gordo in the
municipality of La Union shortly before midnight local time (05:00 GMT).
According
to a Colombian airport press release, it had reported an electrical fault to
the control tower.
Medellin's
Mayor Federico Gutierrez described it as "a tragedy of huge
proportions".
The
Jose Maria Cordova de Rionegro airport, which serves Medellin, posted on its
Twitter account: "Confirmed, the aircraft licence number CP2933 was
carrying the team @ChapecoenseReal. Apparently there are survivors."
Poor
weather meant that the crash site, in a mountainous area, was only accessible
by land, and later Medellin airport tweeted
(in Spanish) that the rescue operation had been suspended.
There
was no fire on impact, which appears to have increased the chances of survivors
being found.
Conmebol
said in a statement that its president, Alejandro Dominguez, was on his way to
Medellin.
"The
Conmebol family greatly regrets what happened. All activities of the
confederation are suspended until further notice," it said.
Chapecoense
football team
§ Founded in 1973.
§ Promoted to the Brazilian
top division, Serie A, for the first time in the club's history in 2014.
Currently ninth.
§ Were flying to play in
the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana - winner qualifies for Copa
Libertadores, top continental competition in South America.
§ Were underdogs - facing
current Cope Libertadores holders Atletico Nacional
§ Based in the Brazilian
city of Chapeco in the state of Santa Catarina.
Brazil's 21st biggest club
in terms of revenue at 46m reais (US$13.5m/£10.9m)
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