Today, a plane carrying a Brazilian football team crashed in Colombia as it was nearing the city of Medellin as reported by the BBC. It was ferrying 81 people (72 passengers and 9 crew) which included members of the Chapecoense football team.
The football team, Chapecoense, was founded in 1973 and was promoted to the top league in Brazil just recently in 2014. They were going to play in a final of the Copa Sudamericana against a Medellin team before the fateful crash.
The news rippled through social media starting with scanty details about the crash. It was later on revealed that 5 people were rescued alive from the wreckage and at least 76 people are reportedly dead.
This is what we know about the plane crash in Colombia.
Several members of Brazilian #Chapecoense soccer team and journalists were killed. pic.twitter.com/RdiSh9XGZX
— AJ+ (@ajplus) November 29, 2016
The unfortunate news made the various stakeholders in the football industry to offer their condolences to the families and friends of the team on Twitter. The messages transcended from teams who play in different leagues around the world, from Spain to England to Italy and also right here in Kenya.
Message by Manchester United
The thoughts of everyone at Manchester United are with @ChapecoenseReal & all those affected by the tragedy in Colombia.#ForçaChapecoense pic.twitter.com/EUjAnJQkaB
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 29, 2016
London based team, Arsenal also shared their condolences to the team.
Thinking of you, @ChapecoenseReal#ForçaChapecoense pic.twitter.com/0KGRwwqI76
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 29, 2016
Real Madrid had a minute silence for the passengers in the plane crash
Minute's silence for the victims of the plane crash in Colombia.https://t.co/CzeDgeynuD#RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/9auFteNzOf
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 29, 2016
From Germany.
Our thoughts go out to everyone at @ChapecoenseReal and those affected by this tragedy. #ForçaChapecoense pic.twitter.com/RTYCviKwCP
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) November 29, 2016
Message from the Italian team, AC Milan
Our hearts and thoughts will be with @ChapecoenseReal today #ForçaChape
— AC Milan (@acmilan) November 29, 2016
FC Zenit from Russia also posted their condolences to Chapecoense
FC Zenit wish to offer their deepest condolences to those involved with the @ChapecoenseReal plane crash, our thoughts are with you all.
— FC Zenit in English✨ (@fczenit_en) November 29, 2016
Our very own AFC Leopards also posted their condolences to the team on Twitter.
The thoughts of us at #Ingwe & everyone in football are with you @ChapecoenseReal #ForçaChapecoense #Chapecoense pic.twitter.com/mWPZJARdrx
— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) November 29, 2016
Football players too shared their condolences on Twitter and here are some of their tweets.
My pray and solidarity for survivors, family and friends of @ChapecoenseReal in this sad time.
— Radamel Falcao (@FALCAO) November 29, 2016
🙏my thoughts and sincere condolences go to the families and friends of those aboard the flight #ForçaChape #Chapecoense @ChapecoenseReal
— Michael Ballack (@Ballack) November 29, 2016
Dia triste… 😔 As mais sinceras condolências às pessoas envolvidas nesta tragédia. 🇧🇷🙏// Prayers out to all those who are affected. #RIP pic.twitter.com/sq4JMAUKr3
— Mesut Özil (@M10) November 29, 2016
My thoughts are with the families and members of @ChapecoenseReal that lost someone today! 🇧🇷🙏🏾 #Brazil #ForçaChape pic.twitter.com/XFAznFxZcw
— Jérôme Boateng (@JeromeBoateng) November 29, 2016
Sad news to wake up to today. Thoughts are with @ChapecoenseReal and their family and friends.
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) November 29, 2016
This finale was not suppose to look that way…please accept my condolences all those affected by this enormous tragedy! @ChapecoenseReal pic.twitter.com/wGboewlxrL
— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) November 29, 2016
Fans from all over the world also tweeted their condolences to the team. The tweets displayed despondency.
My thoughts and prayers go out to @ChapecoenseReal. 😔🙏🏻 #ForçaChapecoense pic.twitter.com/Ru1B5IokWc
— Mrs Arsenal (@TaZRahman7) November 29, 2016
RIP #ForcaChapecoense #ForçaChape
Indeed a very sad day in Football History.— Syed Muhammad Mohsin (@smmohsinnaseem) November 29, 2016
Absolutely heartbreaking news #ForcaChapecoense
— – (@AnfieldRd96) November 29, 2016
One really sad day in football history 😔💔 #ForcaChapecoense
— Joao ⚽️ (@http_joaovictor) November 29, 2016
I didn't even know this team existed but the news got me feeling a type of way 😔 #ForcaChapecoense
— Angel in the day😇 (@Dillon_ds) November 29, 2016
There are reports streaming in from publications which say some of the players are among the survivors of the horrendous accident.
Brazilian TV confirm three Chapecoense players survived the tragic plane crash – Alan Ruschel, Danilo and Jakson Follmann#ForçaChapecoense pic.twitter.com/drsaBgKdeN
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 29, 2016
A glimmer of hope to the team as it is being reported that that the South American Football Confederation has been asked to give the Copa Sudamericana title to Chapecoense.
Atlético Nacional have asked CONMEBOL to award the Copa Sudamericana title to Chapecoense. https://t.co/5I23dkcKJc
— Paulo Freitas (@Cynegeticus) November 29, 2016
