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A plane carrying a South American football team has crashed in Colombia - killing 76 of the 81 people on board.

The plane was carrying the Brazilian side Chapecoense to Medellin airport when it fell from the sky after suffering electrical problems.

The jet split in two when it crashed in mountains shortly at around 10pm local time (3am UK time), shortly before it was due to land.

The hero pilot is reported to have opened a fuel door to release fuel and prevent a huge explosion.

There were 72 passengers and nine crew on board the charter plane, which was taking the 22-man squad to their match against Atletico Nacional.

Police commander José Acevedo told local media 75 people died at the scene and one person on their way to hospital.

There were just six survivors - one of whom was found alive in the wreckage by rescue crews.

Former Atletico Madrid midfielder Cléber Santana was the first player confirmed to have died by authorities.

The 35-year-old played 37 times for the La Liga giants between 2007 and 2010.

Santana also played for Spanish side Real Mallorca and signed for Chapecoense last year.

(Image: Cleber Santana/Instagram)

(Image: Getty Images)

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Earlier, Mayor of Medellin Federico Gutierrez said: "This is a tragedy. we have pictures of the plane, which broke in two.

"We thank God the plane did not fall in an urban area because it could have been an even greater tragedy."

Defender Alan Ruschel and goalkeepers Danilo Padilha and Jakson Follmann were reported to be three of the survivors taken to hospital.

But around nine hours after the crash, the club confirmed Danilo Padilha has died in hospital.

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Ruschel - who suffered a broken hip and head injuries - was heard asking medics to look after his wedding ring as he arrived at hospital.

It is understood 21 journalists were also among those travelling on board.

The aircraft, registered CP2933 and belonging to the airline Lamia Bolivia, was used by Argentina and Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano just three weeks ago.

(Image: Twitter) (Image: Facebook/Aviación Comercial en Colombia)

A video shared on Twitter claimed to show the moment the plane disappeared from view on flight radar at around 10.15pm local time.

The pilot declared an emergency around 10pm local time citing electrical failure.

The team are believed to have had to change their flight and board the plane that crashed after Brazilian aviation authorities prevented them from taking a charter flight to Medellin.

(Image: EPA)

(Image: PAY)

A haunting video of players laughing and joking just before the crash emerged after being posted on Instagram.

After a victory against Argentina’s San Lorenzo, the team were looking forward to playing in the final of the Copa Sudamericana - South America’s second most important club competition.

Defender Alan Ruschel and goalkeeper Danilo Padilha look happy and relaxed as they proudly announce they will soon be in Colombia.

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Ruschel says: "In not long, we’ll be arriving in Colombia. We’re coming Colombia."

Colombia has been hit by heavy storms which are hampering rescue efforts.

"The site of the accident is only accessible by land due to climatic conditions and low visibility," a statement from the airport said.

(Image: Alan Ruschel/Instagram)

(Image: Twitter) (Image: Getty)

"The Colombian Air Force deployed a search and rescue helicopter which had to cancel the mission due to the adverse conditions.

"According to the authorities the police are mobilising all possible help since they are reporting six survivors."

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(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)

(Image: Reuters)

Colombian news website Noticias Caracol tweeted what is purported to be the first pictures of the wreckage.

Chapecoense had reached the finals of the Copa Sudamericana by beating Argentina's San Lorenzo over two legs in the semi-finals, which concluded last week.

Earlier in the day, the Chapocoense football team’s official Facebook page posted a video of the players waiting to board the flight at Viru Viru International Airport in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.

A picture of the team on board a plane has been tweeted but it is unclear whether it was taken before the doomed flight.

The team, from the city of Chapeco, were promoted to Brazil’s first division in 2014 and reached the final of South America’s second most important club competition last week after a victory against Argentina’s San Lorenzo.

2014 was the first time the club had competed in Brazil’s top division since the 1970s.

In a statement on its website the club said it was still unsure how many of its players and staff had survived.

A spokesman said: “Given the conflicting reports emerging from different journalistic sources concerning the crash of the plane carrying the Chapecoense players, the Chapecoense football association through it vice-president, Ivan Tozzo, is refraining from comment and awaiting official announcements from the Colombian air authorities.

"May God be with our athletes, leaders, journalists and the other guests who are with the delegation.”

Clubs and players from across the world tweeted their condolences to Chapecoense following the crash.

England captain Wayne Rooney tweeted: "Sad news to wake up to today. Thoughts are with @ChapecoenseReal and their family and friends."

Spanish side Sevilla said: "Sevilla FC shows is shows its condolences for the plane crash involving Chapecoense. Hard times for football."

The Brazilian Football Confederation said: "The CBF expressed its dismay at the news coming from Colombia, realizing an accident with the plane carrying the delegation the Chapecoense, journalists and guests, the way the first game of the final of the Copa Sudamericana.

"We are in contact with the Conmebol, local representatives and clubs in search of more information authorities before any possible measures on the progress of Brazilian football.

"Already, we express our solidarity and we direct our prayers to the passengers and crew of the flight.

As a mark of respect, CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body has suspended football on the continent until further notice.

The Brazilian government has announced three days of mourning across the country.