Emiliano Sala Search: A body has been spotted in the plane wreckage
The plane which Emiliano Sala went missing in has been located and a body has been found.
A search boat in the English Channel found the wreckage on Sunday morning with the grim discovery.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) is currently working on the investigation.
The AAIB said in a statement: “Early in the search, the Morven identified an object of interest on the seabed using its side-scan sonar equipment.
“It cleared the immediate area for the Geo Ocean III to use its underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to survey the area of the seabed in which the object was located.
“Based on analysis of ROV video footage, the AAIB investigators on board the vessel concluded that the object is wreckage from the missing Piper Malibu aircraft, registration N264DB.
“Tragically, in video footage from the ROV, one occupant is visible amidst the wreckage. The AAIB is now considering the next steps, in consultation with the families of the pilot and passenger, and the police.”
The shipwreck specialists who made the discovery announced that the plane was relatively intact and that the body of Sala and the missing pilot might be present in the debris.
Sala’s father, Horacio Sala, spoke from his home in Argentina: “I cannot believe it, this is a dream. A bad dream.
“I communicated with them every day, but since I do not have WhatsApp it’s hard to call them or call me.
“They told me that the days passed and there was no news of Emiliano or the plane.”
David Mearns who directs Blue Water Recoveries led a search team in conjunction with the AAIB.
He tweeted: “Wreckage of the plane carrying Emiliano Sala and piloted by David Ibbotson was located early this morning by the FPV MORVEN.
“As agreed with the AAIB they moved the GEO OCEAN III over the position we provided them to visually identify the plane by ROV.
“The families of Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson have been notified by Police.
“The AAIB will be making a statement tomorrow.
“Tonight our sole thoughts are with the families and friends of Emiliano and David.”
By Tom Jarvis
