A plane carrying a South American football team has crashed in Colombia – with police fearing 75 people have been killed.
The plane was carrying the Brazilian side Chapecoense to Medellin airport when it fell from the sky after suffering electrical problems.
The jet split in two when it crashed in mountains shortly at around 10pm local time (3am UK time), shortly before it was due to land.
The hero pilot is reported to have opened a fuel door to release fuel and prevent a huge explosion in the seconds after the crash.
There were 72 passengers and 9 crew on board the charter plane, which was taking the 22-man squad to their match against Atletico Nacional.
Police commander José Acevedo told local media he fears 75 people have been killed and just six have survived.
Earlier, Mayor of Medellin Federico Gutierrez confirmed in a statement at the crash site that at least 25 people have been killed.
He said: “Right now firefighters say 25 people have died.
“This is a tragedy. we have pictures of the plane, which broke in two.
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First Brazil team plane crash survivors arrive at hospital
“We thank God the plane did not fall in an urban area because it could have been an even greater tragedy.”
Defender Alan Ruschel and goalkeepers Danilo Padilha and Jakson Follmann are reported to be three of the survivors taken to hospital.
(Photo: Twitter)
(Photo: Facebook/Aviación Comercial en Colombia)
Ruschel – who suffered a broken hip and head injuries – was heard asking medics to look after his wedding ring as he arrived at hospital.
A video shared on Twitter claimed to show the moment the plane disappeared from view on flight radar at around 10.15pm local time.
The pilot declared an emergency around 10pm local time citing electrical failure.
(Photo: EPA)
(Photo: PAY)
The team are believed to have had to change their flight and board the plane that crashed after Brazilian aviation authorities prevented them from taking a charter flight to Medellin.
The jet came down in Cerro Gordo in the municipality of La Union, according to Mi Oriente.
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The players say: ‘We’re coming Colombia’
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.
(Photo: Alan Ruschel/Instagram)
(Photo: Twitter)
(Photo: Getty)
“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.”
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Video claims to show Chapecoense plane vanishing
(Photo: Alamy Stock Photo)
(Photo: Reuters)
Colombian news website Noticias Caracol tweeted what is purported to be the first pictures of the wreckage.
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.
Earlier in the day, the Chapocoense football team’s official Facebook page posted a video of the players waiting to board the flight at Viru Viru International Airport in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
A picture of the team on board a plane has been tweeted but it is unclear whether it was taken before the doomed flight.
The team, from the city of Chapeco, were promoted to Brazil’s first division in 2014 and reached the final of South America’s second most important club competition last week after a victory against Argentina’s San Lorenzo.
2014 was the first time the club had competed in Brazil’s top division since the 1970s.
In a statement on its website the club said it was still unsure how many of its players and staff had survived.
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Chapecoense players filmed before boarding doomed flight
A spokesman said: “Given the conflicting reports emerging from different journalistic sources concerning the crash of the plane carrying the Chapecoense players, the Chapecoense football association through it vice-president, Ivan Tozzo, is refraining from comment and awaiting official announcements from the Colombian air authorities.
“May God be with our athletes, leaders, journalists and the other guests who are with the delegation.”
Clubs from across the world tweeted their condolences to Chapecoense.
Spanish side Sevilla said: Sevilla FC shows is shows its condolences for the plane crash involving Chapecoense. Hard times for football.”
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Chapecoense players celebrate reaching finals
The Brazilian Football Confederation said: “The CBF expressed its dismay at the news coming from Colombia, realizing an accident with the plane carrying the delegation the Chapecoense, journalists and guests, the way the first game of the final of the Copa Sudamericana.
“We are in contact with the Conmebol, local representatives and clubs in search of more information authorities before any possible measures on the progress of Brazilian football.
“Already, we express our solidarity and we direct our prayers to the passengers and crew of the flight.
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