• Players, fans and officials take part in a minute of silence in tribute to Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson prior to the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Bournemouth. Getty
    Players, fans and officials take part in a minute of silence in tribute to Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson prior to the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Bournemouth. Getty
  • Cardiff City's Bobby Reid celebrates scoring their first goal by displaying a shirt paying tribute to Sala. Reuters
    Cardiff City's Bobby Reid celebrates scoring their first goal by displaying a shirt paying tribute to Sala. Reuters
  • There were huge amount of tributes left to Sala outside Cardiff's stadium. Action Images via Reuters
    There were huge amount of tributes left to Sala outside Cardiff's stadium. Action Images via Reuters
  • Fans pay their respects to Sala before the game against Bournemouth. Getty
    Fans pay their respects to Sala before the game against Bournemouth. Getty
  • Cardiff's players line up before the game against Bournemouth. Action Images via Reuters
    Cardiff's players line up before the game against Bournemouth. Action Images via Reuters
  • Cardiff's players were keen to acknowledge Sala after they scored against Bournemouth. Reuters
    Cardiff's players were keen to acknowledge Sala after they scored against Bournemouth. Reuters
  • Cardiff's players and fans during the minute's silence paying tribute to Sala and pilot bbotson before the match. Action Images via Reuters
    Cardiff's players and fans during the minute's silence paying tribute to Sala and pilot bbotson before the match. Action Images via Reuters
  • A banner paying tribute to Sala. PA via AP
    A banner paying tribute to Sala. PA via AP
  • A Cardiff City fan holds up a scarf paying tribute to Sala during the match. Reuters
    A Cardiff City fan holds up a scarf paying tribute to Sala during the match. Reuters
  • An Argentina flag waves in the Cardiff crowd to pay homage to Sala. Action Images via Reuters
    An Argentina flag waves in the Cardiff crowd to pay homage to Sala. Action Images via Reuters
  • Cardiff manager Neil Warnock during the minute's silence paying tribute to Sala before the match. Reuters
    Cardiff manager Neil Warnock during the minute's silence paying tribute to Sala before the match. Reuters
  • Cardiff mascot Bartley Bluebird displays a banner paying tribute to Sala during the match. Action Images via Reuters
    Cardiff mascot Bartley Bluebird displays a banner paying tribute to Sala during the match. Action Images via Reuters

Europe

Wreckage of plane carrying Emiliano Sala found, say investigators

The Piper aircraft went missing over the English Channel on January 21

The National

February 04, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

The missing plane carrying Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala and his pilot has been found, the search co-ordinator and air investigators said on Sunday.

"I can confirm it has been found," a spokesperson for Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) told AFP.

The AAIB was assisted in locating the aircraft by the Geo Ocean III ship and a ship led by marine expert and shipwreck hunter David Mearns, the FPV Morven.

The Geo Ocean III will remain at the site overnight.

Mr Mearns, who was co-ordinating a privately funded search for the aircraft, wrote on Twitter that "the families of Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson have been notified by police."

"Tonight our sole thoughts are with the families and friends of Emiliano and David," he wrote.

The Piper aircraft disappeared from radars near the Channel Islands on its way to Cardiff on January 21.

Mr Sala was travelling from France to join up with his new club, Premier League side Cardiff City.

Cardiff City supporters paid tribute to Emiliano Sala on Saturday in emotional scenes before the Welsh club won their Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

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