Colombia plane crash: Chapecoense players’ coffins lined up in Colombian morgue ahead of wake
Sombre snaps show funeral home workers making necessary preparations with forensic work set to end
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THESE heartbreaking pictures reveal the full extent of the tragic Chapecoense plane crash.
19 players lost their lives in the devastating accident, with 71 people in total confirmed dead by authorities.
Chapecoense had been flying to Colombia to face Atletico Nacional for the equivalent of the Europa League final.
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But the club, who had fought their way up from Brazil’s fourth division since 2009, will be left permanently scarred by the horrific incident which unfurled.
Chapecoense’s remaining players paid tribute to their fallen comrades in a vigil on Wednesday, while three survivors from the crash battle for their lives in hospital.
And in the meantime, funeral workers in Colombia have been going flat-out in their preparations for the wake.
Forensic authorities are nearly finished at the crash site after identifying all of the victims.
And once they have completed their work, the bodies of the Chapecoense players will be flown back to Brazil.
The club’s future has been under the spotlight ever since the accident, but they will be made to play the final game of the league season later this month.
However, Chapecoense could be given a helping hand by a certain legend – one Ronaldinho Gaucho.
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The Brazilian superstar and former Barcelona man was believed to be bowing out of the game.
But he could now be set for a spectacular return after admitting he wants to help Chapecoense recover from their horrendous setback.
Argentina hero Juan Roman Riquelme has also offered his services free of charge, with many clubs in Brazil also ready to send out their players on loan.
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Ronaldinho’s brother confirmed: “Everyone is still shaken, it is a very difficult time. It depends on us to help. I do not know if it would just be a game or permanent. If there’s contact later we can talk. I can only say that we are here and we want to help.
“Ronaldinho’s name was mentioned because he’s loved and without a club. He fits the profile and can be the right guy. But at the moment we want to help families. As Brazilians, we feel involved. We are together.”
Meanwhile, there’s been an outpouring of grief from the football community, with English teams holding a minute’s silence before the EFL Cup matches on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Teams in the Champions League will make a similar gesture next week, while Premier League teams this weekend are set to wear black armbands.