“The number of the deceased will be quite high. About 25 to 27 people were killed,” the mayor said as quoted by the Blue Radio Colombia broadcaster.

He added that three people had been hospitalised in his town, including a stewardess. Earlier, local media reported that Brazilian football players Alan Ruschel, Marcos Danilo and Jackson Follmann survived the crash and were hospitalised.

According to 360 Radio Colombia, the rescue operation at the sight was temporarily suspended in the area of the incident due to heavy rainfall.

Earlier in the day, the emergency team operating at the scene of the crash reported that a total of 13 people survived the crash.

The Jose Maria Cordova International Airport in Rionegro said in a statement that the crash took place at 10 pm local time Monday (03:00 GMT Tuesday). The plane was operated by the Lamia Corporation Airline.

According to the statement, the crew reported an emergency situation during the flight citing power problems between the municipality of La Ceja and Union in the Antioquia department.

The passengers of the aircraft that crashed after disappearing in Colombian airspace included members of the Brazilian Chapecoense Real football team.

The football team was on the way to participate in the South American Cup final against Atletico Nacional in a game set for Wednesday. The game was suspended due to the accident.

ANA