Search and rescue operations, looking for the missing Piper Malibu plane, have resumed this morning after they were suspended yesterday evening.
Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala and one other passenger were on the aircraft which disappeared off radars over the Channel Islands, at 20.30 in the evening on Monday 21 January.
David Barker, harbour master captain, said: “We have resumed searching. 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.”
According to the Telegraph, the 28-year-old footballer left friends an audio message on WatsApp, which was carried by Argentine newspaper Clarin.
In the audio message, Mr Sala said: “I’m on a plane that looks like it’s going to fall apart, and I’m leaving for Cardiff. If in an hour and a half you have no news from me, I don’t know if they will send people to look for me, because they will not find me, you know. I’m so scared.”
During yesterday’s 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.
After searching yesterday, Guernsey Police said: “We have been unable to confirm whether any of these floating objects are from the missing aircraft. We have found no signs of those on board.”
Guersey Police said If the aircraft did hit the water, the chances of survival are at this stage would be slim but coastal areas around Alderney, off-lying rocks and islands are also being searched from the air.
Photo credit: Daily Mail