Plane Carrying Brazil’s Chapecoense Soccer Team Crashes, Killing Nearly Everyone On Board
Soccer fans, the country of Brazil and the world are mourning the deaths of nearly 80 people after a plane crash involving the Chapecoense de Brasil soccer club.
The New York Times reports:
A chartered plane carrying 81 people, including members of a Brazilian soccer club, crashed on the outskirts of Medellín, Colombia, killing nearly everyone onboard, the authorities said early Tuesday.
Colombia’s civilian aviation authority said that six people had survived the crash — three players, two crew members and a journalist who was accompanying the team.
The flight was operated by a small airline, LaMia, and was carrying members of the Chapecoense de Brasil soccer club, according to the civil aviation authority. They were traveling from Bolivia to play in the final of the Copa Sudamericana tournament when the plane crashed around 10 p.m. on Monday.
The aircraft was carrying 72 passengers and nine crew members, according to a statement issued by the Medellín airport. Search and rescue efforts were hampered by low visibility and difficulty in reaching the site.
Reports state that pilots reported electrical problems on board as they flew through mountainous terrain. Columbia aviation officials say that the plane was declared an emergency and gave it clearance to land before they lost contact.
The Chapeocoense team was experiencing some of its best times since being founded in 1974. The team was on its way to play in the Copa Sudamericana, a second-tier championship for South American teams. The tournament has now been suspended in the wake of the tragedy.
Lil Wayne is one of the many who have sent condolences.
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