A fire has engulfed a dormitory at the youth team training centre of one of Brazil's biggest football clubs, killing 10 people.
The victims have not been named but are said to include young players
staying at Ninho de Urubu, the training ground of Flamengo football club
in Rio de Janeiro.
Three teenagers were also injured, one of them seriously.
The cause of the blaze is being investigated.
However, one young player said the fire started in an air conditioner in his room.
"The air conditioner caught fire, and I ran out," said Felipe Cardoso, a
player with the under-17 side. "Thank God I managed to run and I'm
still alive."
Flamengo is one of Brazil's biggest and best-known clubs
internationally. They play in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A league
where they finished in second place last season.
Club president Rodolfo Landim told reporters this was "without a doubt
the worst tragedy this club has been through" in its 123-year history.
"The most important thing now is for us to try to minimise the pain and suffering of these families".
Brazil football legend Pelé described the club as "a place where young people pursue their dreams".
"It's a very sad day for Brazilian football," he tweeted.
Brazilian star forward and Paris Saint-Germain player Neymar posted the club's crest on Instagram, writing: "My sentiments."
President Jair Bolsonaro, who is receiving treatment for pneumonia,
tweeted a statement from the hospital "in solidarity" with the mourning
families.
He said the tragedy made victims of young people "on the journey to realising their professional dreams".
What do we know so far?
According to the G1 news portal, the fire began at 05:10 (07:10 GMT) and was extinguished by 07:30.
Channel SporTV reports that six players were killed and four team staff.
The youth players are said to be aged between 14 and 16. One of the
three injured, a 15-year-old boy, suffered severe burns and was
transferred to a specialist hospital, reports said.
Fire service Lt Col Douglas Henaut told reporters that rescuers managed
to save victims outside the building, but "we only found bodies inside".
"The place was completely overtaken by fire," he said.
The area has been hit by severe storms and heavy rain in recent days and
the weather may have left the facility without water or electricity
when the fire struck, G1 reported.
Local media reports suggest the fire happened in an older part of the centre that was scheduled to be torn down.
It is unknown if there were smoke alarms present.
Flamengo's pride in youth academy
Analysis by Fernando Duarte, BBC Brasil
Flamengo is one of the few Brazilian clubs that can boast an expressive
national fan base in Brazil. A poll released last April suggested they
are the first team for 32.5 million Brazilians.
The club owes a great chunk of this support to an incredible run of four
Brazilian titles and a victorious Copa Libertadores campaign (the South
American version of the Uefa Champions League) in the 1980s.
It has also produced arguably one of the greatest all-time Brazilian
players - Arthur Antunes "Zico" Coimbra, a member of the 1982 World Cup
squad that failed to win the titles but won worldwide plaudits for its
slick style.
The club is also proud of the tradition of its youth academy - their
motto is "we make our star players at home" - which will make this
tragedy even sadder.
Who are Flamengo?
The club's most prominent former players include World Cup winners Ronaldinho, Bebeto and Romario.
As well as being one of Brazil's most successful football clubs,
Flamengo also has basketball, rowing, swimming and volleyball teams.
In a tweet on Friday, the team said it was "in mourning".
The Ninho de Urubu ("Vulture's Nest" - so named because the symbol of
the club is a vulture) centre underwent a major expansion last year,
with the club spending 23m reals (£4.8m, $6.2m), Reuters news agency
reports.
The site features accommodation for young players, several pitches, an aquatic park, a gym, a medical centre and a mini stadium.
The club were due to play their rivals Fluminense on Saturday. The game
has been postponed, and other clubs have expressed their condolences.
Real Madrid player Vinícius Júnior, who also played for Flamengo,
tweeted a crying emoji, writing, "Such sad news. Pray for everyone.
Strength strength, strength."
And former Brazil star and Flamengo player Ronaldinho offered his
condolences for the "terrible tragedy" in a tweet on Friday morning. He
published the club's crest in black-and-white alongside the message.
Just over two years ago, Brazil's football world was rocked by disaster
when a plane carrying top football team Chapecoense crashed in Colombia.
Of the 77 people on board, 71 lost their lives.
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