Wreckage of Chilean plane that crashed in the Andes 54 years ago killing 24 people found by mountaineers

Mountaineers say they have discovered the remnants of the plane that stunned Chile and the sporting world when it disappeared on 3 April 1961, killing all on board, including eight members of the top division Chilean team Green Cross.

Speaking to Chile’s Channel 7, expedition member Leonardo Albornoz said the group discovered the wreckage at an altitude of about 10,500 ft around 215 miles of the capital, Santiago. The group is keeping the exact location secret however, for fear of looting.

“It was a breath-taking moment and we felt all kinds of sensations. One could feel the energy of the place and breathe the pain,” Mr Albornoz said.

The group said they found scattered debris and bones and were able to see a large section of the fuselage without needing to dig it out.

The wreckage location does not match with the site that official publications had expected the plane to have crashed.

The plane had been on route to Santiago, carrying the team members and its staff back from an away match in Osorno in the Copa de Chile. The team and staff had been spread across two flights, but only one made it back to the capital.

Rescue teams spent weeks searching for the missing plane but never found it, and symbolic funerals were held for the missing players.

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Additional reporting by PA