Missing aircraft search is brought to an end
THE search for a missing plane off Alderney has been called off, after no trace of it or its two occupants had been found.
On Monday night the search began for the Piper Malibu being flown by pilot Dave Ibbotson with Argentinian striker Emiliano Sala on board.
But the footballer’s sister, Romina, pleaded with the authorities at a press conference in Cardiff, the team her brother had just signed to play for, to carry on.
‘I know in my heart Emiliano is still alive,’ she said.
Harbour master Captain David Barker made the announcement about the ending of the search at a press conference yesterday.
‘Earlier today I had a meeting with my Coastguard officers and, having completed that and looked at our search activities to date and our options for the future and consulted with our equivalent organisation in the UK, I have taken the decision to terminate our search,’ he said.
‘That decision has been difficult, as you can imagine, not least because there are a huge number of people both here, in the UK and in France who have been involved in this search over the last three days – all of whom, including myself, had hoped for a positive outcome, but that has not been the case.
‘More importantly, because I am well aware that this will be very unwelcome news for the family and friends of the two occupants of the missing aircraft.’
The plane was last reported close to Hurd Deep – a deep seabed ravine – which could make recovering any wreckage difficult.
Captain Barker thanked the individuals and teams involved in the search, in what he called ‘an incredible co-operative search operation’.
‘First and foremost our thoughts are with the friends and family of David Ibbotson and Emiliano Sala, for whom this must be a very difficult time,’ he said.
‘I can’t begin to imagine how they must be feeling, but I do understand and I hope they will find some comfort in that we are not closing this incident – although we are stopping searching.
‘The incident remains open and we are continuing with our broadcasts to ships and aircraft which are passing through the area and are asking them to report anything that may be linked to the missing aircraft.’
Guernsey’s Coastguard personnel were at the forefront of the search, along with coastguard organisations in the UK at the National Maritime Operation Centre and Dover Coastguard.
As well, personnel of the voluntary services such as the RNLI who manned both the Guernsey and Alderney lifeboats, and Channel Island sAir Search out of Guernsey were thanked for their time and efforts.
Captain Barker acknowledged members of the Guernsey and UK Police force and the French search and rescue authorities.
‘We have also had participation from a French Navy aircraft, the civilian-owned helicopter based in Brecqhou and last but not least members of the public who responded to our request to report any objects or incidents which might be linked to this missing aircraft.’
