ANKARA
A plane carrying 72 passengers crashed near Medellin in Colombia while en route from Santa Cruz city in Bolivia on Tuesday, according to Colombian aviation authorities.
The official Twitter account of the Jose Maria Cordova International Airport in Rionegro said the passengers included members of the Brazilian football club Chapecoense and nine crew.
The team was due to play in the final of the South American club cup against Medellin team Atletico Nacional.
The media outlet, BluRadio Colombia, quoted Col. Edgar Sanchez, director of the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority's air navigation services, as saying there were six survivors.
The civil aviation authority later released a statement identifying the survivors as two crew members Flight Attendant Ximena Suarez and Technician Erwin Tumiri; three football players Alan Luciano Ruschel, Jackson Ragnar Follmann and Marcos Danilo Padilha; and journalist Rafael Hensel.
Sanchez said teams continued to work at the crash site to recover the bodies, some of which flew out of the aircraft on impact.
Rionegro city authorities earlier tweeted the search for more survivors would continue "until it is necessary.”
The station quoted provincial official Gustavo Villegas as saying the plane had “struck a hill and broke into two parts”. Some Colombian quoting aviation officials said they were exploring the theory about a possible "power failure" aboard the aircraft.
Earlier, the Flightradar24.com website tweeted that flight “#LMI2933 was operated by a LAMIA Bolivia British Aerospace Avro RJ85, reg. CP-2933. The aircraft first flew in 1999.”
In another tweet, it said: “Flightradar24 received last ADS-B signal from #LMI2933 at 15,500 feet - about 30 km [19 miles] from destination MDE airport [Jose Maria Cordova International Airport] located at ~7,000 feet.”
Weather hampers rescue after Colombia plane crash
Rescue teams are fighting adverse weather conditions Tuesday to establish whether there are any more survivors of a tragic plane crash near Medellin.
“Really the possibilities of surviving are difficult, we have been working for more than two and a half hours at the scene, and many more experts continue to search amongst the debris, possibly there are other survivors,” Itagui Fire Chief, Captain Misael Cadavid, told reporters at the scene.
The flight from Santa Cruz to Medellin had 81 people aboard, including nine crew members and 72 passengers, and crashed into the side of a hill close to the town of La Union just 59 km (36 miles) from Medellin and only 17 km (10 miles) from the Jose Maria Cordova International Airport where it was due to land. So far, there have been 75 reported fatalities and six survivors.
“In the midst of this tragedy there is good news to share and that is that there are survivors,” said fire captain Kaleth Gutierrez. “Access to the crash site is very difficult due to complications with the terrain.”
The aircraft was carrying 22 members of the Brazilian football team, Chapecoense, and reportedly contacted the control tower at the Medellin airport to report technical failures before it disappeared from radar at around 10 p.m. Monday, (0300GMT) Tuesday.
There is speculation that the aircraft may have crashed due to a lack of fuel as there are no signs of an explosion at the crash site. Air traffic control charts show the airplane was put into a holding position before disappearing from the radar. The reason for the holding pattern is unknown.
World of football mourns victims
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) announced it was suspending all activities. In a statement released in Spanish on its website, it said the body had been notified by Colombian authorities that the plane carrying the Chapecoense team had been involved in an accident.
“The CONMEBOL family greatly regrets what happened. All activities of the confederation are suspended until further notice,” it said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed shock and deep sadness over the incident.
"This is a very, very sad day for football," Infantino said. "We are so sorry to hear about the airplane crash in Colombia, it is shocking and tragic news. At this difficult time our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends. FIFA would like to extend its most heartfelt condolences to the fans of Chapecoense, the football community and media organisations concerned in Brazil."
Many important European football clubs and stars also expressed their sorrow over the crash.
Turkish football giant Galatasaray tweeted in Portuguese their thoughts were with all families of the victims, "Our prayers are with you," the Istanbul-based club said.
Another Turkish club Besiktas said online: "PrayForChapecoense"; Fenerbahce also said: "We are with you Chapecoense".
Italy's leading football club Juventus tweeted: "Juventus offers its condolences after the plane crash in Colombia and extends its support to the families of the victims #ForçaChape".
Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from the London-based football giant Chelsea tweeted: "My thoughts are with all members of Chapecoense and all their families! #PrayForChapecoense".
Arsenal tweeted: "The thoughts of everyone at Arsenal are with those affected by the tragedy in Colombia".
Liverpool said: "Our thoughts are with everyone at Chapecoense and all those affected by the tragedy in Colombia"
Manchester United's English star Wayne Rooney said: "Sad news to wake up to today. Thoughts are with Chapecoense and their family and friends".
The Spanish football heavyweights Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also offered their condolences to the families of the victims.
Barcelona tweeted: "Before training, the team held a minute silence for the victims of the Chapecoense tragedy in Colombia". The team's Brazilian star, Neymar, also offered his condolences.
"Our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased in the plane crash of the Chapecoense. May they rest in peace," Atletico Madrid tweeted.
Real Madrid also expressed sorrow on their website. "Real Madrid C.F. expresses its sorrow at the tragic air crash involving the Brazilian club Chapecoense and extends its condolences to relatives and friends of the victims. At the same time, wishing an early recovery to the survivors."
Footballers of the Brazilian top division Serie A club, Chapecoense, were on their way to Colombia to play the first leg of the 2016 Copa Sudamericana final against the Colombian club, Atletico Nacional,before they were struck by tragedy Tuesday.
The final of the first leg of the South America's second-tier club football tournament, organized by CONMEBOL, was expected to kick off on Thursday, which was now postponed.
Chapecoense is currently in the ninth position in their domestic league, which was recently won by Palmeiras on Nov. 27, with a match to spare.
The aircraft was carrying 22 members of the Brazilian football team, Chapecoense, and reportedly contacted the control tower at the Medellin airport to report technical failures before it disappeared from radar at around 10 p.m. Monday, (0300GMT) Tuesday.
There is speculation that the aircraft may have crashed due to a lack of fuel as there are no signs of an explosion at the crash site. Air traffic control charts show the airplane was put into a holding position before disappearing from the radar. The reason for the holding pattern is unknown.
The Chapecoense football club was due to arrive in Medellin to prepare for the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana tournament against Atletico Medellin. The return game was due to have been played in Brazil on Dec. 6.
