It seems like it was only months ago that the Brazilian footballing world was rocked by the death of 19 Chapecoense players multiple members of staff in a tragic plane crash, out of the 77 people on board of flight to Medellin only six survived.
Today, more terrible news has broken in Brazil with six separate families missing loved ones.
Palmas play in the Serie D and today have been the centre of a terrible tragedy.
There was a tragic accident at a private airfield 60km south of Palmas according to reports from CNN.
Four players, the club president and their pilot all died as the plane malfunctioned during take off. The players and president were on their way to play Villa Nova in the cup tomorrow when the accident happened. This game has now been postponed.
The plane dropped from the sky during take off and the Tocantins fire department arrived at the scene but were unable to save anyone.
The club released the names of the players in their statement today. The victims of the tragic accident are:
- 27 year old goalkeeper: Ranule
- 23 year old defender: Lucas Praxedes
- 28 year old defender: Guilherme Noé
- 23 year old midfielder: Marcus Molinari
- 32 year old Palmas president: Lucas Meira
- The pilot has been named locally as commander Wagner
This is a very sad day for football and a very sad day for Brazil, our thoughts are with all of those affected by this crash.
The club has released a statement:
O Palmas Futebol e Regatas vem por meio desta informar que por volta das 8h15 da manhã deste domingo, 24, ocorreu um acidente aéreo envolvendo o presidente do clube Lucas Meira, quando decolava para Goiânia, para a partida entre Vila Nova x Palmas nesta segunda, 25, válida pela Copa Verde. O avião em que Lucas estava junto com o comandante Wagner e os atletas Lucas Praxedes, Guilherme Noé, Ranule e Marcus Molinari, decolou e caiu no final da pista da Associação Tocantinense de Aviação. Lamentamos informar que não há sobreviventes. Neste momento de dor e consternação, o clube pede orações pelos familiares aos quais prestará os devidos apoios, e ressalta que no momento oportuno voltará a se pronunciar.