(Seychelles News Agency) - The president of Seychelles has expressed his condolences after a plane crash claimed the lives of over 70 people, including members of a Brazilian football team.

The chartered plane travelling from the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz was carrying 77 people when it crashed as it approached its destination -- the Medellin international airport in northwestern Colombia.

Members of Brazilian club team, Chapecoense Real, who were going to play the first game of a two-leg final to decide the Copa Sudamericana -- South America's second-biggest club tournament -- were among the passengers on board.

In his message to the Brazilian President Michel Temer, the Seychellois head of state said this was “an unprecedented tragedy.”

President Danny Faure said: "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the bereaved, and we pray that the love of God surrounds, so that they may find comfort and strength to bear this great pain.” 

According to an AFP article, 71 people were killed in the accident, while six -- three players, two crew members and a journalist -- survived the tragedy.

“The plane's two black boxes have been found. Officials did not immediately say how long it would take to analyze their contents,” the article says.

The plane is said to have reported “electrical failures” before it crashed in the mountains of Columbia.