Police end search for missing plane carrying Sala
Caen head coach Fabien Mercadal expresses his shock at the news that former forward Emiliano Sala is reportedly among the passengers of a missing plane. (0:45)
The search for a missing aircraft which was carrying Cardiff footballer Emiliano Sala has been brought to an end by police who say the chances of finding survivors are now ‘extremely remote’.
The aircraft, which was taking Sala from Nantes to Cardiff, went missing from radar on Monday evening, prompting a search and rescue operation based on Guernsey in the Channel Islands.
In a statement, Guernsey harbour master David Barker said next of kin had been informed of their decision to end the search.
“We reviewed all the information available to us, as well as knowing what emergency equipment was on board, and have taken the difficult decision to end the search,” he said.
“The chances of survival at this stage are extremely remote.
“Next of kin have been informed of this development and my thoughts go out to the families of the pilot and passenger at this most difficult of times.”
Police had suspended their latest efforts to locate the missing aircraft for a second successive night on Wednesday with any hope of finding the men alive rapidly fading.
The final stage of the search and rescue operation had focused on coastal areas around the Channel Islands, a Guernsey police statement said.
Police previously confirmed the name of the missing pilot as David Ibbotson on Wednesday and said they were reviewing satellite imagery and mobile phone data as part of the search.
Sala’s father, Horacio Sala, addressed media gathered outside the family home in Progreso, Argentina on Wednesday and said he is “beginning to think the worst.”
He said: “I don’t know what to think…..the hours pass and I am just beginning to think the worst.
“We were in touch on Sunday. He was so happy that he was going there, to an even bigger club.”
The Search for Sala
Both French and British maritime authorities began searching for the missing single-engine Piper Malibu on Tuesday, with rescue aircraft and boats scoured more than 1000 square miles of sea to find the aircraft.
Police said a number of floating objects had been spotted in the water but they could not confirm whether they were debris from the missing aircraft.
“We have found no signs of those on board. If they did land on the water, the chances of survival are at this stage, unfortunately, slim.” a statement released Tuesday evening read.
The search continued on Wednesday with three planes and a helicopter involved, but again nothing was spotted in relation to the missing plane.
Chief Officer of Channel Island Air Search John Fitzgerald said on Sky Sports News that he believes the aircraft broke apart upon hitting the water. But in a message to ESPN FC he echoed the Guernsey police statement that the debris found could not yet be confirmed as parts of Sala’s plane.
“Debris was seen from the aircraft west of Alderney and the lifeboat has been sent to check this out, but at the moment we can’t confirm that these are parts from the aircraft until they have been collected and identified,” Fitzgerald told ESPN FC.
Prayers from Cardiff and Nantes
Sala, 28, an Argentine striker who had just signed with Cardiff City for £18 million, was flying from the French city of Nantes to Cardiff when the plane lost radar contact off Guernsey late on Monday.
Cardiff called off training upon hearing the news on Tuesday and club CEO Ken Choo said: “We were very shocked upon hearing the news that the plane had gone missing. We expected Emiliano to arrive last night into Cardiff and today was due to be his first day with the team.
“Our owner, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, and chairman, Mehmet Dalman, are all very distressed about the situation.
“All of us at Cardiff City FC would like to thank our fans and the entire footballing family for their support at this difficult time.
“We continue to pray for positive news.”
La ultima ❤️ ciao @FCNantes 👋🏻💛💚 pic.twitter.com/SV1dNHbYYH
Former team-mates and friends have also been offering prayers for Sala. Sevilla striker Wissam Ben Yedder, who played against Sala in France, dedicated
Nantes’ French Cup last-32 game against Entente Sannois-Saint Gratien, originally set for Wednesday, was postponed until Sunday.
“I’m thinking of his friends, his family. I’m still hopeful, he’s a fighter. It’s not over, he’s perhaps somewhere. While waiting for news that we hope will be positive, we’re very touched by all the support we have received since this morning,” Nantes president Waldemar Kita said.
Cardiff’s next Premier League game is at Arsenal on Jan. 29 but chairman Dalman said there are no plans at present to re-arrange the match.
“I would be very surprised if there’s any change to the schedule,” Dalman said.
Nantes fans held a vigil at the Place Royale in Nantes as a mark of support.
Sala tweeted his farewell to Nantes on Monday, along with a picture with his former colleagues.
Sala first arrived in France in 2010 when his potential was spotted by Bordeaux, who had him on their books for five years. He spent three spells out on loan, including half a season at Caen that convinced Nantes to sign him in summer 2015. He scored 36 times in 89 top-flight games for Les Canaris, including 12 this season, before signing for Cardiff.
Information from Reuters, The Associated Press, Ian Holyman and Aramide Oladipo contributed to this report.