The Viloco air tragedy left Bolivian football in mourning on a flight that never reached its destination.
Bolivia, Known for her passion for football, she was the protagonist of moments of glory and tragedy. Iconic players like Marco Etcheverry or Erwin Sánchez They took the country to three World Cups, while the 7-1 against Brazil in 1997 still resonates with fans. However, the joys of Bolivian football were overshadowed by a devastating event in 1969.
One of the darkest chapters of Bolivian sport was written on September 26, 1969when a plane crash left an indelible mark on the club’s history The Strongest and the country’s football. Five decades later, both fans and family members continue to suffer a loss that could have been avoided.
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What was the Viloco tragedy like, the air disaster that left Bolivian soccer in mourning?
The Strongest team, one of the most emblematic clubs in Bolivia, was returning from a friendly tournament in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. They had played a home run, facing renowned South American teams, and although it was not an official competition, the players returned with the expectation focused on continuing fighting in the local league. But destiny had other plans for the brindle team.
The aircraft, a DC-6B belonging to the Bolivian Air Lloydtook off from the airport “The Trompillo” heading to Peace. On board, in addition to the players and the coaching staff, other passengers were traveling, making a total of 74 people. The team, made up of prominent figures of Bolivian soccer such as Jorge Tapia and Óscar Flores, I had the hope of a bright future.
The flight seemed to proceed normally, until the captain Teddy Scott Villa reported its latest position on Cochabamba. Minutes later, the aircraft inexplicably deviated from its intended course and, around 3:40 p.m., it crashed in a mountainous area of the mountain range Three Crosses, nearly Viloco. The place, tragically nicknamed “The Court”, witnessed one of the most devastating tragedies in the history of world football.
The impact was so violent that there were no survivors. The bodies of the players, coaching staff and other passengers were scattered in an inaccessible area, which complicated the rescue efforts. Bolivia was plunged into deep mourning, and The Strongest fans could not believe the magnitude of the loss. The club, suddenly, was left without a team and on the brink of disappearance.
The Latin American sporting brotherhood generated a change in the spirit of the club that did not have the resources for the remainder of the local championship. Boca Juniors sent players to help rebuild the squad. and several boys from The Strongest’s youth teams came first to defend the shirts of those late idols. Furthermore, year after year, fans of the club and Bolivian football remember the fallen with ceremonies and commemorative events.
Source: Ambito
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