Missing Cardiff City forward, Emiliano Sala’s plane has been found.
The plane carrying only the football player and its pilot, David Ibbotson was found in the English Channel on Sunday morning after two-weeks of its disappearance. Both men are presumed dead.
BREAKING: The plane that was carrying the missing Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala has been found, his family has been told. #SSN pic.twitter.com/hHQeGOylpX
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 3, 2019
Sala, who became Cardiff’s record signing last month, was flying back to the Welsh capital when his plane mysteriously lost contact and disappeared over the English Channel. A search was initially started by the English authorities but was called off three days later after yielding no results.
Sala’s family, with the support of many (via a GoFundMe page) including Lionel Messi, Sergio aguero, Laurent Koschienly and the Argentine President, continued the search for the missing plane and on Sunday morning, they got the results they were searching for.
Emiliano Sala underwater search launched amid 'confidence' plane wreckage will be found https://t.co/THecNOc1zk pic.twitter.com/D1tQnRMrNV
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) February 3, 2019
Earlier reports had shown parts of the plane washing up to shore before the complete wreckage was discovered at the sea bed.
An underwater search for Emiliano Sala's plane will take place after cushions were found on a beach.
More: https://t.co/5MulQkn1r6 pic.twitter.com/6t9GjFfO88
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 30, 2019
The wreckage of the plane has been positively identified and a more detailed report on the discovery will be given later today.
The player’s father, Horacio Sala told Cronica TV in Argentina:
“I cannot believe it. This is a dream. A bad dream. I’m desperate.
“I communicated with them every day, but since I do not have Whatsapp it’s hard to call them or call me.
“They told me that the days passed and there was no news of Emiliano or the plane.”
In the meantime, reactions have been pouring in:
The fact a private search has found the missing plane within hours makes you wonder how much effort was actually put into the original one that lasted days #Sala
— Ashley Simpson (@ashleymsimpson) February 3, 2019
It’s a bitter-sweet moment – as confirmation of the plane carrying Sala has been found.
Until now – there has always been hope… but it does give his family – and all those connected- a bit of closure.#Sala #Bluebird #CCFC #CityAsOne
💔😢
— Nicholas O'Leary (@nolearyASJ) February 3, 2019
God rest his soul and the pilot 💙 #Sala https://t.co/Yxcnua4WSh
— Cheryl (@cher_1982) February 3, 2019
The plane was found💔😔
RIP Sala and David
Hopefully some closure for the families🙏🏻#Sala #ripsala pic.twitter.com/86hv5N4Gr8— MagicMo🔴👑 (@MagicMoLFC) February 3, 2019
***BREAKING NEWS***
Wreckage of the plane carrying Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson found in the English Channel.
Thoughts with the families 🙏 #Sala pic.twitter.com/bWqVUIv4hZ
— K8.com (@K8_Team) February 3, 2019
Glad that the plane carrying Sala & Ibbotson has been found and the families can finally get some closure. Hopefully the wreckage can now be investigated to see why this happened and how to ensure it doesn't happen again.
— Sibs 🔰 (@SibsMUFC) February 3, 2019
They’ve found Sala’s plane. My heart just broke. Thoughts are with his family and friends, and of course the fans of Cardiff and Nantes 🙏🏻
— Louis Beneventi (@Louis_Beneventi) February 3, 2019
They found the plane of Emiliano Sala
Was hoping for a miracle but I guess it's not to be 💔
— Theo (@Thogden) February 3, 2019
Emiliano Sala: Missing Premier League footballer's plane found
Absolutely gutting. Our thoughts and prays are with his family, friends and @CardiffCityFC
It’s more than just a game at times. #nufc @NUFC pic.twitter.com/OhuekuBjcg— Leazes Flags 🏴🏳🏴🏳 (@FlagsLeazes) February 3, 2019
So I see they have found the plane carrying Emiliano Sala may he and the pilot rest in peace 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
— salah11king (@salah11king) February 3, 2019
The plane carrying #Sala has been found! It just puts life into perspective 😔 pic.twitter.com/GKJ8EZaT63
— 𝕄𝕚𝕜𝕖 ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕡𝕖𝕣 (@CoachMikeLSC) February 3, 2019
Salas plane has been found this is the sad news we all knew would come I hope there families can find peace now a sad time for football RIP SALA #CardiffCity #Sala pic.twitter.com/QdYtp155sm
— Amanda and Joe Adams (@JosephAndAmand2) February 3, 2019
MONDAY UPDATE: A BODY WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKED PLANE
The Air Accident Investigation Branch has revealed that in sighting the plane’s wreckage, a body was also seen still inside the plane. The AAIB revealed it in a statement earlier today, and also released the first picture of the underwater wreckage.
In a statement, the AAIB said:
“The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) carried out a further search of the area overnight, but did not identify any additional pieces of wreckage.
“Tragically, in video footage from the ROV, one occupant is visible amidst the wreckage. The AAIB is now considering the next steps, in consultation with the families of the pilot and passenger, and the police.”
The AAIB added it intends to publish an interim report within a month of the date accident happened.
A body is visible in seabed video footage of the wreckage of the plane which crashed in the English Channel with Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala on board. https://t.co/cbMuYTbxZ8 pic.twitter.com/YpqNGhbRr9
— The Press & Journal (@pressjournal) February 4, 2019
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