The search for Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala's missing
plane has been called off with the striker and Brit pilot Dave Ibbotson
presumed dead.
According to the Sun UK, Guernsey Police confirmed it is 'no
longer actively searching' for the missing pair or the light aircraft which
vanished over the Channel Islands on Monday.
Harbour Master Captain David Barker said: "We have been
unable to find any trace of the aircraft, the pilot or the passenger.
"We reviewed all the information available to use, as
well as knowing what emergency equipment was on board, and have taken the
difficult decision to end the search.
"The chances of survival at this stage are extremely
remote."
The search crew reportedly searched for 24 hours across
three days and covered around 1,700sq. miles without finding a trace of
wreckage or the victims.
Search pilot Mike Tidd added: “The area has been very well
covered; there is absolutely no chance of finding anybody alive now.
“The only thing we might be able to do would be pinpoint
where the aircraft went in but I think the radar trace is going to be the best
opportunity of doing that.”
The small private plane carrying the Argentine striker from
Nantes Airport to Cardiff when it went missing off Alderney in the Channel
Islands on Monday night. The 28-year-old was set to be unveiled by Cardiff City
as their new £15million signing the next day before his disappearance.
