Relatives walk behind a hearse transporting a casket containing the remains of a LaMia flight crew victim to a waiting cargo plane at the military airbase in Rio Negro, Colombia, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. An honor guard played taps early Friday as members of Colombia's military loaded the five flight crew victims of an air crash that also killed most members of a soccer team and a group of journalists, onto a cargo plane for the trip back to their native Bolivia. (AP Photo/Luis Benavides)

The Latest: Colombia repatriates dead, crash investigated

RIO NEGRO, Colombia – The Latest on the plane crash in Colombia that killed 71 people (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

The remains of several Brazilians who died in a plane crash in Colombia are beginning their journey home.

Brazilian and Colombian soldiers in Rio Negro, Colombia, loaded several caskets onto large cargo planes Friday evening.

A priest on hand said a prayer in Spanish, and then soldiers began loading the caskets.

The bodies will be transported to the city of Chapeco in southern Brazil, home of soccer team that had been travelling to Colombia for a big match.

In total, 71 people died Monday night in the crash outside Medellin, Colombia. Nineteen of the dead were members of the soccer club, and many more were support staff and journalists covering the team.

The city of Chapeco is planning a large memorial service on Saturday.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles