A Plane Carrying Members Of A Brazilian Football Team, Chapecoense, Has Crashed In Colombia.

A plane carrying members of a Brazilian football team, Chapecoense, has crashed in Colombia. Medellin's international airport said on its Twitter account that the aircraft, carrying 72 passengers and nine crew members, had left from Bolivia.

Local media has reported that the charter aircraft was carrying members of the Brazil Serie A side, who were scheduled to play in the Copa Sudamerica finals against Atletico National in Medellin on Wednesday. Jose Maria Cordova de Rionegro airport, which serves Medellin, said in a statement that all possible aid was being mobilized because six survivors are being reported.

The mayor of Medellin, Federico Gutierrez, has said 25 bodies have been found. Colombia's civil aviation association said rescuers were moving survivors away from the site of the crash. A hospital official told reporters there were many survivors. It has been confirmed that a defender, 27years old Alan Ruschel, has survived. Local media reported that goalkeeper Danilo and reserve goalkeeper Jakson Follmann had also survived. In a statement on its Facebook page, the club said: “May God accompany our athletes, officials, journalists and other guests travelling with our delegation.”

The plane had declared an emergency due to power failure before losing contact with the control tower. Colombia has been hit by heavy storms which are hampering rescue efforts.