February 6, 1958, the Munich air disaster, a British European Airways flight carrying the Manchester United football team crashed on take-off from Munich Airport. The crash resulted in the loss of 23 lives, including eight Manchester United players.
They were returning home from a European Cup quarter-final match against Red Star Belgrade. The team popularly known as the "Busby Babes was in high spirits, having won the match, but their plane crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slushy runway.
The loss of so many young and promising players was a devastating blow to the club and the city of Manchester. It took many years for the club to recover from this tragedy. But Manchester United showed remarkable resilience and determination, winning the FA Cup in 1963. The Munich air disaster remains an indelible part of Manchester United's history and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
