Man Utd, Arsenal, others send their prayers as plane carrying Brazilian team Chapecoense crashes in Colombia

Man Utd, Arsenal, others send their prayers as plane carrying Brazilian team Chapecoense crashes in Colombia

A plane carrying over 80 people including members of the Brazilian football team Chapecoense has crashed in Colombia.

The British Aerospace 146 short-haul aircraft with nine crew members and 72 passengers on board started it journey in Sao Paulo before making a stop in Bolivia on its way to Colombia.

25 bodies have been recovered from the crash site so far, AFP has reported, while Medellin police fear any many as 75 people have died.

Colombian newspaper El Tiempo and aviation authorities stated that 22 members of the top division team were on board as well as 22 journalists.

There were reportedly six survivors, which, according to El Espanol, includes two of the Brazilian club’s players, defender Alan Ruschel, 27, and goalkeeper Danilo, who were sitting next to each other.

It is believed another Chapecoense player, who was meant to be on the flight, did not travel with the team.

A statement from the José Maria Córdova airport said: “At the moment we know that the disaster happened in Cerro Gordo the municipality of La Unión and that there were 72 passengers and nine crew aboard, including the football team Chapocoense Real. There are reported to be six survivors.”

Reports suggested that the flight crew reported an electrical issue at around 10pm local time before losing contact with ground control.

The team were on their way to play Copa Sudamerica finals against Atletico Nacional on Wednesday in Medellin.

They had lost 1-0 on Sunday to Palmeiras, who lifted the Brazilian Serie A title.

Clubs from around the world sent their prayers and condolences.

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