This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-38140981

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Brazil Chapecoense football team in Colombia plane crash Brazil's Chapecoense football team in Colombia plane crash
(about 2 hours later)
A plane carrying 81 people, including a top Brazilian football team, has crashed on its approach to the city of Medellin in Colombia.A plane carrying 81 people, including a top Brazilian football team, has crashed on its approach to the city of Medellin in Colombia.
Colombia's civil aviation body says only six people survived the crash, that occurred on a mountainside. Colombia's civil aviation body says only six people survived the crash, blamed on an electrical fault.
The chartered aircraft, flying from Brazil via Bolivia, was carrying members of the Chapecoense team.The chartered aircraft, flying from Brazil via Bolivia, was carrying members of the Chapecoense team.
The team had been due to play in the final of the Copa Sudamericana, against Medellin team Atletico Nacional.The team had been due to play in the final of the Copa Sudamericana, against Medellin team Atletico Nacional.
The first leg of the final of the cup, South America's second most important club competition, was scheduled for Wednesday but has now been suspended.
Organisers say Atletico Nacional has asked for Chapecoense to be awarded the cup.Organisers say Atletico Nacional has asked for Chapecoense to be awarded the cup.
The match was seen as the biggest in the history of the relatively small club, which entered Brazil's top division for the first time in 2014. A statement by Fox Sports Latin America said that six employees from its Brazil operation died in the crash.
Brazilian President Michel Temer announced three days of national mourning, and top Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona held a minute's silence at the beginning of their practice sessions. What happened?
A football fairy tale which ended in tragedy: Luis Barrucho, BBC Brasil The plane lost contact with ground controllers as it approached Medellin at about 22:15 (03:45 GMT), after the pilot reported an electrical fault. It came down in a mountainous area.
Shortly before boarding in Sao Paulo, Chapecoense manager Cadu Gaucho, 36, appeared in a video posted on the team's Facebook site [in Portuguese] describing the trip to Medellin as "the club's most important to date". Brazilian football club in air disaster
Playing in the final of the Copa Sudamericana was to be the highlight of a glorious season for the team from the small city of Santa Catarina, which has fewer than 200,000 inhabitants.
Founded in 1973, the team has only been playing in Brazil's Serie A since 2014 but is currently ranked ninth ahead of much more famous and established teams such as Sao Paulo, Fluminense and Cruzeiro.
Last week, it became the first Brazilian team in three years to make it to the final of the Copa Sudamericana after beating Argentine side San Lorenzo.
One of the founders of the club, Alvadir Pelisser, told BBC Brasil the tragedy had put an "end to everyone's dream". "We were a family, I'm shocked," he added.
The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) said it was suspending "all activities".
Chapecoense issued a brief statement saying: "May God be with our athletes, officials, journalists and other guests travelling with our delegation."
It said it would refrain from any further statements until it had assessed the extent of the crash.
Later the team's vice-president, Ivan Tozzo, told cable channel SporTV: "There are a lot of people crying in our city. We could never imagine this. Chapecoense is the biggest reason for joy here."
At least two of the survivors are footballers. They were confirmed to be defender Alan Ruschel and reserve goalkeeper Jackson Follman.At least two of the survivors are footballers. They were confirmed to be defender Alan Ruschel and reserve goalkeeper Jackson Follman.
Some reports suggest another defender, Heilio Neto, was also rescued. Some reports suggest another defender, Helio Neto, was also rescued.
The club's main goalkeeper, Marcos Padilha aka Danilo, was also pulled alive from the wreckage but a spokesman said he later died in hospital. Goalkeeper Marcos Padilha, also known as Danilo, was pulled alive from the wreckage but a spokesman said he later died in hospital.
The sports network Telemundo Deportes tweeted (in Spanish) that Ruschel was in shock but conscious and talking, and asked to keep his wedding ring and to see his family.The sports network Telemundo Deportes tweeted (in Spanish) that Ruschel was in shock but conscious and talking, and asked to keep his wedding ring and to see his family.
His wife told Globo TV: "Thank God Alan is in the hospital. He's in a stable condition." Who are Chapecoense? - Luis Barrucho, BBC Brasil
The team, from the southern city of Chapeco, was promoted to Brazil's first division in 2014 and reached the final last week after a victory against Argentina's San Lorenzo. Shortly before boarding in Sao Paulo, Chapecoense manager Cadu Gaucho, 36, appeared in a video posted on the team's Facebook site [in Portuguese] describing the trip to Medellin as "the club's most important to date".
What we know about the crash so far Playing in the final of the Copa Sudamericana was to be the highlight of a glorious season for the team from a small state city in the state of Santa Catarina, which has fewer than 200,000 inhabitants.
Medellin's Mayor Federico Gutierrez described it as "a tragedy of huge proportions". Founded in 1973, the team has been playing in Brazil's Serie A since only 2014 but is currently ninth ahead of much more famous and established teams such as Sao Paulo, Fluminense and Cruzeiro.
Conmebol said in a statement that its president, Alejandro Dominguez, was on his way to Medellin. Last week, it became the first Brazilian team in three years to make it to the final of the Copa Sudamericana, South America's second most important club competition, after beating Argentine side San Lorenzo.
"The Conmebol family greatly regrets what happened. All activities of the confederation are suspended until further notice," it said. One of the founders of the club, Alvadir Pelisser, told BBC Brasil the tragedy had put an "end to everyone's dream". "We were a family, I'm shocked," he added.
What is the reaction?
Brazilian President Michel Temer announced three days of national mourning, and top Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona held a minute's silence at the beginning of their practice sessions.
Chapecoense issued a brief statement saying: "May God be with our athletes, officials, journalists and other guests travelling with our delegation."
Later, the team's vice-president, Ivan Tozzo, told cable channel SporTV: "There are a lot of people crying in our city. We could never imagine this. Chapecoense is the biggest reason for joy here."
Goalkeeping coach Marcelo De Quadros Kunst stayed in Brazil with players who did not travel to Colombia.
He told the BBC: "We see wives fainting, ambulances taking them to the hospital, family members holding on to football boots left behind."
Other sporting plane crashes
Are you in the area? Did you witness the crash or the rescue? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in the area? Did you witness the crash or the rescue? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
·WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971·WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971
·Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay·Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
·Upload your photos or videos here·Upload your photos or videos here
·Send an SMS or MMS to +44 7624 800 100·Send an SMS or MMS to +44 7624 800 100
Or please use the form below:Or please use the form below: