Guernsey police have released a statement to confirm that they have ended the search for missing Cardiff striker Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson, with no traces of the plane or the missing individuals found. They have also said that 'the chances of survival at this stage are extremely remote.'
Sala and Ibbotson were the only two people onboard the small aircraft, which vanished from radar near the Casquets lighthouse of Alderney on Monday evening. Having recently signed for the Premier League club for around £15million, the Argentinian was travelling from Nantes to link up with his new teammates.
A search and rescue operation had been launched by the Guernsey police on Monday night, and continued up until this afternoon. In total, over 1,700 square miles of sea was surveyed, with many areas searched more than once. There were few signs of encouragement, however, with no traces of the aircraft found.
The operation has now been brought to an end, with a statement from the Guernsey police confirming the news. Unless there is a significant development, no further searches will take place.
3.15pm Update.
Please read the attached statement.
Unless there is a significant development, there will be no further updates pic.twitter.com/jbEIFMB3zi— Guernsey Police (@GuernseyPolice) January 24, 2019
The event has rocked the world of football, with tributes pouring in from all areas of the game. Fans of both Cardiff City and Nantes have paid tribute to Sala, while also extending their sympathies to the families of both missing persons.
Où que tu sois, on pense à toi 💛 #PrayForSala pic.twitter.com/vloUL3yMyc
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) January 23, 2019
