Football news - Emiliano Sala: Police resume search for missing striker
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/01/2019 at 11:42 GMT
The search for Cardiff's new signing Emiliano Sala resumed on Wednesday, 36 hours after the light aircraft he was flying on disappeared in the English Channel.
Emiliano Sala missing plane
Image credit: PA Sport
"We have resumed searching," Guernsey police said. "Two planes are taking off and will search a targeted area we believe has the highest likelihood of finding anything, based on review of the tides and weather since it went missing."
Reports on Wednesday morning said Sala had sent a WhatsApp voice message to his family, saying he was "really scared... I'm on a plane that looks like it's going to fall apart."
Four possibilities
In a further update at 9.30am, Guernsey Police confirmed that they are conducting their search based on four possibilities.
The update read: “We are searching based on four possibilities: 1. They have landed elsewhere but not made contact.
“2. They landed on water, have been picked up by a passing ship but not made contact.
“3. They landed on water and made it into the life raft we know was on board.
“4. The aircraft broke up on contact with the water, leaving them in the sea. “Our search area is prioritised on the life raft option. More updates as information becomes available.”
Floating objects
The private plane travelling from Nantes was carrying Cardiff's new £15m signing when it disappeared from the radar on Monday evening.
After an extensive search of the area over the English Channel, Guernsey Police said a number of floating objects had been seen in the water, but were unable to confirm whether any were 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. Two planes and a lifeboat are still searching. A decision about an overnight search will be taken shortly," said Guernsey Police.
During the course of the 15-hour search, which used multiple air and sea assets from the Channel Islands, UK and France, a number of floating objects have been seen in the water. We have been unable to confirm whether any of these are from the missing aircraft.
"17.00 update..search and rescue operations have been suspended as the sun has now set. The current plan is for it to resume at sunrise tomorrow. There will be no further updates tonight."
A frantic search began with a lifeboat launched from Alderney at 8.50pm last night.
Genuine concern
There is "genuine concern" at Cardiff over Sala's safety and, shortly before Tuesday lunchtime, the French Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that Sala was on-board the aircraft when it departed France on Monday evening.
The Argentine, who scored 13 goals this season for Nantes to earn his move to Cardiff, failed to report at his new club on Monday night. He signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Premier League club.
In an earlier statement, Guernsey Police said:
Guernsey Coastguard received an alert at 20:23 from Jersey ATC, that a light aircraft had gone off their radar approximately 15 miles north of Guernsey, initiating a major search and rescue operation involving both St Peter Port and Alderney lifeboats. Air Search 1 and 2 HM Coastguard helicopters are also involved in the search.
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Sala scored 13 goals for Nantes this season to earn his move to Cardiff
Image credit: Getty Images
"The PA 46 Malibu, a single turbine engine aircraft was on route from Nantes in France, to Cardiff in Wales, with two people on board when it was lost off radar as Jersey ATC was attempting to make contact.
"A search model was created on SARIS, based on the likely ditching position, and all search and rescue assets were tasked to the area.
"The search was terminated at 02:00, with all search and rescue assets being stood down, due to strengthening winds, worsening sea conditions and reducing visibility.
"At this time no trace of the missing aircraft had been found.
"The aircraft departed Nantes at 1915 for Cardiff. The aircraft was flying at 5000 feet. The aircraft on passing Guernsey requested descent. Jersey ATC lost contact whilst it was flying at 2300 feet.
"Air Search 1 and a French rescue helicopter based in Cherbourg, resumed the search of the area at 08:00."
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