A plane carrying 81 people, including members of a Brazilian soccer team, crashed Monday on its way to Medellin’s international airport, Colombian authorities said.
Airport officials said in a news release that there were at least 6 survivors. The plane also reported electrical failures before it crashed.
The charter aircraft took off from Bolivia and was carrying members of the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense, according to José María Córdova International Airport officials.
The plane was carrying 72 passengers and 9 crew on board. The team was set to play in the Copa Sudamerica finals against Atletico Nacional on Wednesday in Medellin.
#Atención | Primeras imágenes del avión siniestrado. pic.twitter.com/w8QzhfQ1Ee
— 360 Radio Colombia (@360RadioCo) November 29, 2016
A press release from aviation authorities said the plane likely crashed due to electrical failure.
However, the mayor of the municipality of La Ceja, Elkin Ospina, previously said it appeared the aircraft ran out of gas, El Universo reported.
Momento donde se pierde contacto radar con la aeronave que transportaba al equipo Chapecoense. pic.twitter.com/C59eXyOoEZ
— Andres Felipe Arcos (@AndresFelipe) November 29, 2016
The plane, operated by Venezuelan airline Lamia, was reportedly carrying 72 passengers and nine crew members.
Esta es la entrada al cerro El Gordo en La Unión, llegan ambulancias de diferentes lugares del Oriente a atender siniestro aéreo. pic.twitter.com/mO1CahhBCU
— MiOriente (@MiOriente) November 29, 2016
The country's civil aviation authority has set up a unified command post at the airport, El Universo reported.
Se instala en el @AeropuertoMDE puesto de mando, donde se coordina operación tras accidente de avión en La Unión. pic.twitter.com/LbpeyUFCnx
— MiOriente (@MiOriente) November 29, 2016
The mayor of nearby Medellín said the city's hospital network has been alerted and officials from the Administration Department of Disaster Risk Management have been sent to the site.
Access to the crash site can only be reached by land due to current weather conditions, the airport wrote on Twitter.
#Ampliación Avión que transportaba al equipo Chapecoense de Brasil se encuentra desaparecido https://t.co/vLOvmOd4aJpic.twitter.com/0sAFz5oKY3
— Noticias Caracol (@NoticiasCaracol) November 29, 2016
The team was traveling to compete in the Copa Sudamericana finals. Chapecoense was scheduled to compete against Colombia's Atlético Nacional at 6:45pm local time on Wednesday, at Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellín.
Fuerza a los jugadores de Chapecoense, sus familias y sus seguidores. El Fútbol está de luto. pic.twitter.com/0tA0pmRYTf
— Andres Felipe Arcos (@AndresFelipe) November 29, 2016
After learning of the crash, the South American football confederation CONMEBOL announced that the football tournament had been suspended, according to El Universo.
The @AeropuertoMDE confirms LAMIA Bolivia RJ85, registration CP-2933 has crashed near Medellin, Colombia. https://t.co/ayIDZCJVZspic.twitter.com/GUzZcwHkwo
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) November 29, 2016