The plane which disappeared with Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson on board has been found in the English Channel, confirmed search director David Mearns.
A search boat located the wreckage on the seabed of the English Channel at 9am on Sunday, following a search led by David Mearns, a marine explorer who has been working alongside the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Mearns said: “We located the wreckage of the plane on the seabed at a depth of about 63m within the first couple of hours [of searching].”
He said the plane was identified by sonar, before a submersible with cameras was sent underwater and was able to confirm it was the plane.
“They saw the registration number and the biggest surprise is that most of the plane is there,” he added.
He was asked if the bodies of Sala and Ibbotson were onboard, Mearns said: “That’s a possibility and they’ll be planning for that. There’s a number of things the AAIB have to consider, but their main role is to conduct their investigation on what caused this crash.”
Mr Mearns said in tweet: “The families of Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson have been notified by police.”
Emiliano Sala’s father has spoken of his anguish and disbelief after wreckage of the plane carrying his missing son was discovered in the English Channel.
Speaking at his home in Argentina, Horacio Sala said he was “desperate” after a privately-funded search operation found the aircraft in waters north of Guernsey on Sunday.
“I cannot believe it. This is a dream. A bad dream. I am desperate,” Horacio Sala told the local broadcaster Crónica TV.
Based on the search operation, we will bring you more if any new update