05:28

Raimundo Colombo, the governor of Santa Catarina, where the Chapecoense team is based, has issued a statement expressing his profound regret.

Colombo noted that Chapecoense were not only representing the city of Chapecó and the state of Santa Catarina, but were also making history as the first club from the region to reach the final of an international competition.



He said he was in “state of shock” and expressed his solidarity with the families of the players, club officials and journalists who formed the delegation “at what is a time of great pain for the sporting community in Santa Catarina and in Brazil”.

Nivaldo, a Brazilian goalkeeper who has been at the club since 2006 but did not travel to Colombia, told the UOL Esporte website that he was woken at 5am this morning by a phonecall from a worried friend who wanted to know if he was on the flight.

Nivaldo said he had tried to call his teammates and other club staff who were on the plane but that nobody picked up the phone.

The wife of one Brazilian survivor has used Instagram to express her relief. Amanda Ruschel, who is married to Alan Ruschel, the first player to be taken to hospital, posted an image of the player alongside the message:

“Thank God Alan is in the hospital, stable. We are praying for all of those who were not yet rescued and offer our support to all their relatives. This is a complicated, difficult situation. Only God himself can give us strength. 🏻 Thank you God.”