A Tragedy: The Loss of Chapecoense

Many people around the world are mourning the loss of those who were aboard a flight that unfortunately did not make it to its destination in Colombia. Among those on the plane were players from the Brazilian soccer team, Chapecoense, the team’s coaches, and a handful of journalists. The team had just celebrated a semifinal win and was on its way to compete against the Colombian team, Atletico Nacional, in the South American Cup on Wednesday.

Chapecoense had been performing very well recently, and it is with great sadness that the team and its followers went from a time of celebration to a time of devastation.

According to CNN.com, the flight departed at 6:18 p.m. from Viru Viru International Airport in Bolivia, headed for Medellín, Colombia, and was only a few minutes away from the destination when the tragedy struck. So what caused the crash that took the lives of 71 of its 77 passengers? Fans, families, and investigators found themselves asking that very question. The plane’s black boxes, which are used to record what goes on during a flight, were discovered among the wreckage. According to KTLA.com, the recordings revealed the pilot telling air traffic control that “The plane [was] in total electric failure and without fuel.” Further investigation will lead to a conclusive answer, and hopefully give friends and family some peace of mind.

Supporters of Chapecoense have taken to the Internet to share their feelings and pay homage to the team. A popular cartoon drawing depicts the players who lost their lives being given halos by God, in place of medals. It is an extremely emotional event to follow, especially with all of the heartfelt messages written by fans and all of the heart-wrenching tributes that have been put together (Twitter). Paris also took part in a tribute, lighting up the Eiffel Tower in the team’s green color. The event has shown rivals to destroy the barrier of competitiveness and stand with each other in times of hardship and loss. Although the crash may have taken the lives of most of the Chapecoense players, coaches, and journalists, it can not take away the legacy that they have left behind. Victims are survived by their families and soccer enthusiasts around the world.

Images provided by CNN, KTLA and Google