71 People Killed in Plane Crash Involving Brazilian Soccer Team Chapecoense in Colombia (UPDATE)

A plane carrying members of the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense crashed in Colombia on Monday night, killing 71 people and injuring six survivors.

Photo Removed
Complex Original

Blank pixel used during image takedowns

Photo Removed

UPDATED 11/29/16, 5:20 p.m.:

A chartered plane carrying 77 passengers, including players from the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense, crashed in a mountainous region of Colombia late Monday night, killing 71 people and injuring six survivors. Three of the survivors are reportedly Chapecoense players. Authorities are unsure what caused the crash, but they are investigating the possibility of an electrical fault at this time.

The plane was transporting Chapecoense from San Paulo, Brazil to Medellin, Colombia with a layover in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The team was traveling to Colombia for the first leg of the two-game Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional, which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday. Just before departing San Paulo, Chapecoense manager Cadu Gaucho appeared in a video posted on the team’s Facebook page and called the trip "the club’s most important to date." Chapecoense was founded back in 1974 but was promoted to Brazil’s top division Serie A in 2014 and was going to be the first Brazilian team to take part in the Copa Sudamericana final in three years.

Chapecoense released a brief statement on Facebook a short time after the crash. "May God accompany our athletes, officials, journalists, and other guests traveling with our delegation," the statement said.

The club also posted this video on Twitter. The tweet says, "Let this be the last image of our warriors."

CONMEBOL, the governing body for South American soccer, released a statement announcing that Copa Sudamericana and "all federation activities" have been suspended, and the Brazilian Football Federation released a statement as well and said, "Our solidarity and prayers are with the passengers and crew." Several Chapecoense players who did not make the trip to Colombia due to injuries have spoken with media outlets about the tragedy. "We are all at the club, we cannot believe it," Alejandro Martinuccio reportedly said early Tuesday morning. "We are waiting on news. I have survived as I was injured. I feel a deep sadness for my teammates. The only thing I can say is to pray for them."

An investigation into the plane crash is ongoing. In the meantime, many soccer players and clubs from around the world are sharing their condolences with the Chapecoense team through social media:

Atletico Nacional, the team Chapecoense was supposed to play in the Copa Sudamericana final, has also requested that Chapecoense be awarded with the title:

FIFA president Gianna Infantino shared his thoughts and prayers with the Chapecoense team on Tuesday as well and called today a "very, very sad day for football" in a statement. "We are so sorry to hear about the airplane crash in Colombia," he said. "It is shocking and tragic news. At this difficult time, our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and friends."

Latest in Sports