A group of investigators from Brazil have now arrived in Colombia, to assist the authorities there in checking the two black boxes from the site of the plane crash.

Soldiers guarded the wreckage overnight and after the rescuers had left, the investigators were to start work at first light on Wednesday morning. Bolivia, where the charter company LAMIA is based, and the United Kingdom, also sent in experts to help the probe.

Brazilian health officials were joined by local authorities from Chapeco, the hometown of the Chapecoense team, and delegates of the club who travelled in place of the families. Almost all of the 67 bodies recovered from the crash have been identified, according to a member of the Chapecoense board.