Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Emiliano Sala: Search for Cardiff City striker and pilot abandoned

The search was called off after a fourth unsuccessful day since the aircraft disappeared off radars on Monday night north of Guernsey - updates from Thursday

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 24 January 2019 12:06 EST
Comments
Fans gather in Nantes Royal Square to lay yellow tulips during vigil for Emiliano Sala

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Follow the latest updates as the search for Emiliano Sala, a pilot and a missing plane was called off on Thursday afternoon without any trace of the missing Cardiff City striker in the English Channel.

The search was called off after a fourth unsuccessful day since the aircraft disappeared off radars on Monday night north of Guernsey. After officials confirmed that the priority of the search changed from a rescue mission to a recovery operation, a statement from police said that Thursday search will focus on coastal areas of the Channel Islands and northern France, yet this turned up nothing linked to the missing aircraft.

Cardiff City have said that they are “realistic” about the fate of Sala, who joined the club in a £15m deal last weekend, and revelations about the aeroplane that was carrying Sala and pilot Dave Ibbotson continue to emerge, including a voice message left by Sala to his friends in Argentina in the final hours before he disappeared complaining about the condition of the plane and his fear for his safety. Follow the live updates below.

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

Ed Malyon23 January 2019 14:05

The search and rescue efforts have covered 280 square miles with no trace yet found.

The Channel Islands Air Search has confirmed the search has moved from a rescue to a recovery operation.

As we reported earlier a decision will be made later on over whether to continue the search efforts.

Ben Burrows23 January 2019 14:22

Guernsey harbourmaster Captain David Barker, who is leading the search for Cardiff forward Emiliano Sala in the Channel Islands claims they have already covered 1,200 sq miles (3,100 sq km).

"Nobody in the joint control centre, including myself, wants to give up, we are determined to find the two men alive," said Barker. 

"Already we are seeing four and five metre waves out to the west of Alderney - which is in our search area - because of that we have been unable to put the lifeboat out to sea, so he's on standby in the harbour.

"But we will run until we lose the light again today and re-assess at that point."

Ed Malyon23 January 2019 15:10

The Channel Islands Air Search have shifted from a rescue to a recovery operation.

"I think very much it is that sort of recovery stage now," said chief officer John Fitzgerald.

"It's trying to find parts of the aircraft, whatever is floating around n the surface."

Ed Malyon23 January 2019 15:26

Officers are "reviewing satellite imagery and mobile phone data to see if they can be of any assistance in the search."

We are currently waiting for an update from Guernsey Police as to whether they will extend the search beyond tonight. 

But as things stand, there is "no trace" of the aircraft. 

Ed Malyon23 January 2019 15:59

Ed Malyon23 January 2019 16:23

Harbour Master Captain David Barker has now confirmed that the name of the pilot of the missing aircraft is David Ibbotson.

Tom Kershaw23 January 2019 17:10

Guernsey Police have now suspended their search for the evening. 

In a statement at 17:00, the Police said: "After an intensive search using multiple aircraft and one lifeboat over the last nine hours, we have found no trace of the missing plane.

"A decision about whether to recommence will be taken early tomorrow morning. There will be no further updates tonight."

Tom Kershaw23 January 2019 17:30
Samuel Lovett23 January 2019 17:31

A decision will be taken early tomorrow morning by the Guernsey Police as to whether they will continue with the search operation. We will keep you updated as soon as any new information is made available.

Until then, this is what we currently know:

Tom Kershaw23 January 2019 23:33

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in