Players from other clubs have also been paying their respects to the Leicester owner. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah says it is "a truly sad day for football."

Leicester City

Former Leicester manager Michael Appleton said of the Srivaddhanaprabha family: "They make everyone feel very very welcome that comes into the football club. I think one of the first things they say it is a very family orientated football club, they are aware of the community and one of the first things they did say to me when I joined was ‘welcome to the family’.

"It is a family, however long it lasts, whether you are there for six months, six years, however long it may be you will always be part of the family."

Leicester forward James Maddison.

There had been some speculation that Leicester manager Claude Puel had been on board the helicopter but the Frenchman held a telephone interview with Radio France today in which he said: "It's a tragedy for the club. I think very strongly about the victims and their families."

He added: "I wanted to reassure everyone who cares about me, I'm terribly sad but I'm fine."

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who witnessed the crash and reportedly stayed at the King Power Stadium until 1am following the crash, has written a heartfelt letter to the club's inspirational owner:

Image source, .

West Ham United

West Ham, who were Leicester's opponents on Saturday, have released a statement in the last few moments, which reads:

"The thoughts of everyone at West Ham United are with the directors, players, staff, supporters and all connected with Leicester City Football Club following the devastating events at the King Power Stadium on Saturday evening.

"We would like to send our sincere condolences to the family of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha at this sad and tragic time. His immense contribution to Leicester City FC, the city of Leicester and English football will never be forgotten. Our condolences also go to the other families affected by the tragedy.

"We would also like to express our admiration for the emergency services who responded so swiftly and with such bravery, and offer our support to anyone, including any West Ham United supporters, who may have witnessed the tragedy.

"The West Ham United family offer our continued support and best wishes to our friends at Leicester at this time."

Image source, EPA

Leicester have extended the area around the stadium where fans can leave flowers and scarves in tribute to the club's owner. A book of condolence for the Srivaddhanaprabha family will be opened at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday at 08:00 GMT.

BBC Radio 5 live

Leicester fans have been outside the King Power Stadium throughout the day and one named Tom told BBC Radio 5 live: "I spent most of the day trying to get my head around what happened and avoided coming to stadium until this evening when I decided I needed to face it.

"It is a place where we can show grief and what he meant to us as a city and show he meant to an awful lot to people here.

"The owners had ambition for the club and city and shown that with insurmountable generosity. Quite a lot is under the radar. He is unlike any other owner in football.

"I hope the club continues with the ambition he has shown and make it everything he knew it could be."

BBC Radio 5 live

Former Leicester midfielder Matt Piper: "The chairman gave us the greatest miracle of the Premier League, we hoped there would be another miracle on horizon that everyone that got on the helicopter survived. It is devastating news, he did so much for the club.

"He took over when we were in a place of debt, he came in, put his own money in - he was a shining example of how a football club should be run.

"My young boys loved football and the very fact he brought Champions League football here, provided them with memories they will never forget."

Another Leicester England international Ben Chilwell said of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha "making you happy made him happy."

Dan Roan
BBC Sports editor

In truth it was the news that all of Leicester had expected and feared. All day fans gathered here at the stadium waiting official news. Local authorities made the point of asking people to be patient.

From what I understand the next of kin had to be informed before official confirmation and the time difference with Thailand had to be taken into account.

In the last few moments a giant portrait of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has been erected outside the stadium.

The huge floral tribute mounting during the day serves as vivid reminder of the affection this man was held in here.

Wes Morgan, who lifted the Premier League trophy for Leicester in 2016, describes Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha as "a man that was loved and adored by everyone at Leicester City."

The EFL has released a statement confirming the postponement of Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie with Southampton, and announcing that tributes will be paid at upcoming league and cup games.

Full statement:

Leicester City’s Round Four Carabao Cup tie with Southampton, scheduled for Tuesday 30 October, has been postponed.

The decision comes after the devastating events at the King Power Stadium on Saturday evening when, shortly after taking off, a helicopter crashed into a stadium car park.

The Club has now confirmed that there were five people on board, including Leicester City Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and all have tragically lost their lives.

The thoughts and prayers of the EFL and its member Clubs are with the family and friends of those who have lost loved ones, Leicester City Football Club, its supporters and the wider Leicester community.

A rearranged date will be confirmed in due course.

As a mark of respect to those who perished in Saturday’s tragic events, players will wear black armbands at all EFL fixtures (Carabao Cup and League matches) over the next seven days. Clubs will also pay tribute by holding a minute’s silence or minute’s applause (whichever is deemed most appropriate by the home club). EFL Clubs will also be marking Remembrance Day 2018 at fixtures next weekend.

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy sends his tributes, describing the Leicester owner as an "incredible man who had the biggest heart."

Fans have gathered outside the Leicester stadium throughout the day, staying into the night to pay their respects.

Leicester's England international Harry Maguire describes his grief as news of the club's owner's death is confirmed this evening.

Leicestershire police have released the four other people who died with the Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. They were two members of his staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

Leicester say a book of condolence, which will be shared with the Srivaddhanaprabha family, will be opened at King Power Stadium from 08:00 GMT on Tuesday 30 October for supporters wishing to pay their respects.

Wembley Stadium pays its own tribute this evening, displaying the arch in the blue and white colours of Leicester and adding the hashtag #ForLeicesterCity

Leicester also confirm that Tuesday's League Cup match with Southampton at the King Power Stadium has been postponed, along with the development squad's match with Feyenoord at Holmes Park which was due to have been played on the same day.