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The Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Mr. Charlie Flanagan TD has expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of those involved in the plane crash earlier this morning in Colombia.

Speaking from Dublin, Minister Flanagan said:

“I was deeply saddened this morning to hear of the plane crash near the city of Medellín in Colombia and would like to express my condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the incident. Our thoughts are with them and also with those reported injured in the crash, to whom I wish a full recovery.

“There is an added poignancy to this incident given that on board were the players and staff of the Chapeconese football club from Brazil, who were travelling to Medellín to play in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Colombian side Atlético Nacional.

“This is a tragedy for those most immediately affected but also for the people of Brazil, where football lies at the core of their national identity. On behalf of the people of Ireland I would like to extend our condolences also to the people of Brazil.

“There are no reports of any Irish being involved in the incident but our Embassy in Brazil, as well as our Embassy in Mexico, which is accredited to Colombia, are in contact with the relevant authorities to confirm that this is the situation.”