Colombia: 76 Dead As Plane Carrying Brazilian Soccer Club Crashes — Fans & Players Mourn

This is absolutely horrible. A plane carrying 81 passengers and crew members, including a Brazilian soccer team, crashed in Colombia on Nov. 28, leaving 76 dead. Soccer fans and fellow players are completely devastated by this tragic news.

The Chapecoense de Brasil soccer team was onboard the LaMia airline plane that crashed outside Medellin, Colombia on Nov. 28. The team was on its way to play Bolivia in the Copa Sudamericana tournament when the aircraft went down, killing 76 and leaving only five survivors, authorities confirmed. Crew members reported electrical problems on the aircraft as it flew over towns near Medellin, according to the New York Times.

Among the five survivors were player Alan Ruschel, a journalist and a flight attendant, who reportedly told authorities that the plane ran out of fuel before crashing. Alan reportedly suffered injuries, including a lumbar spine fracture, and is being operated on, NBC News reports.

Team members happily posed for selfies onboard the aircraft, as well as team photo outside the plane before takeoff, obviously unaware of their tragic fate.  The soccer community is mourning the loss of their own, with fans and players alike tweeting sympathy and devastation after this horrific accident.

Understandably, the Copa Sundamericana tournament has been suspended amid this tragedy. The Chapecoense team was scheduled to play on Wednesday, with high hopes for success in their upcoming games. Just days before this accident, the team excitedly celebrated in its locker room following a big win that put them in the finals of the tournament. Our hearts are broken for the team and their loved ones and we will continue to update you with any new information regarding this horrific story.