Hunt begins for cause of crash that wipes out Brazilian team

“The plane’s two black boxes have been found. Officials did not immediately say how long it would take to analyze their contents”, the article says. Seventy-six people are confirmed dead following a plane crash outside Medellin, Colombia.

A charter plane carrying 81 people, including players from a rising Brazilian soccer team headed for a championship match, has crashed en route to Medillin’s airport in Colombia, according to authorities.

In addition to three soccer players, the other survivors were identified as flight attendant Ximena Suarex, crew member Erwin Tumiri and journalist Rafael Valmorbida. “FIFA would like to extend its most heartfelt condolences to the fans of Chapecoense, the football community and media organizations concerned in Brazil”.

Only three Chapecoense players are believed to have survived the crash — left back Alan Ruschel, defender Helio “Neto” Zampier and reserve goalkeeper Jakson Follmann.

His last-minute save in the semi-final had ensured the team made it through to the Copa Sudamericana final.

Businesses were closed across the grief-stricken Brazilian city of Chapecó on Tuesday as residents struggled to process the devastating tragedy that had befallen their beloved soccer team Chapecoense.

“I am saddened by the news of the plane crash which has taken away souls of innocent persons”, said Gyan.

Chapecoense, a first-division Brazilian team, was scheduled to play Atletico Nacional in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final on Wednesday night.

Since the crash, tributes have poured in from all over the soccer world.

Brazil’s top flight football teams have offered to loan players to Chapecoense for next season after the small southern club lost nearly all its players in a plane crash in Colombia.

Five people survived the crash, according to police.

As recently as 2009, the club known as Chape was playing in Brazil’s fourth division, but it won promotion to the top league in 2014 for the first time since the 1970s. The South American football federation has suspended all games and other activities following the crash.

“We are in contact with CONMEBOL, local authorities and representatives of the clubs in search of more information, before any possible measures regarding the progress of Brazilian football”.

Meanwhile, club Vice President Ivan Tozzo vowed to rebuild, telling Brazil’s Globoesporte website that the team would sign new players. “It was a family, a group of friends”.

“If (Pascovicci) were here, he would want us working, and working a lot” on the story, said Guarizzo, adding that his boss was both demanding and kind.

Around the world, the sport paused to remember the victims.