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Emiliano Sala: Body identified as Cardiff City footballer | Emiliano Sala: Body identified as Cardiff City footballer |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The body recovered from the wreckage of a crashed plane is that of Cardiff City player Emiliano Sala, Dorset Police have said. | The body recovered from the wreckage of a crashed plane is that of Cardiff City player Emiliano Sala, Dorset Police have said. |
Sala, 28, was travelling to Cardiff in a plane piloted by David Ibbotson, which went missing over the English Channel on 21 January. | Sala, 28, was travelling to Cardiff in a plane piloted by David Ibbotson, which went missing over the English Channel on 21 January. |
The Argentine's body was recovered late on Wednesday after the wreckage was found on Sunday morning. | |
Dorset Police confirmed the identification on Thursday night. | Dorset Police confirmed the identification on Thursday night. |
In a statement, the force said: "The body brought to Portland Port today, Thursday 7 February 2019, has been formally identified by HM Coroner for Dorset as that of professional footballer Emiliano Sala. | In a statement, the force said: "The body brought to Portland Port today, Thursday 7 February 2019, has been formally identified by HM Coroner for Dorset as that of professional footballer Emiliano Sala. |
"The families of Mr Sala and the pilot David Ibbotson have been updated with this news and will continue to be supported by specially-trained family liaison officers." | "The families of Mr Sala and the pilot David Ibbotson have been updated with this news and will continue to be supported by specially-trained family liaison officers." |
The body was spotted in the wreckage of the plane on Monday and the authorities were able to recover it two days later, despite "challenging conditions". | The body was spotted in the wreckage of the plane on Monday and the authorities were able to recover it two days later, despite "challenging conditions". |
The Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) said the operation had been carried out "as dignified a way as possible" and the men's families were kept updated throughout. | The Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) said the operation had been carried out "as dignified a way as possible" and the men's families were kept updated throughout. |
The Geo Ocean III, which was involved in finding the wreckage, took the body back to the nearest port of Portland in Dorset, where the body was formally identified. | The Geo Ocean III, which was involved in finding the wreckage, took the body back to the nearest port of Portland in Dorset, where the body was formally identified. |
The Piper Malibu N264DB was en route from France to Cardiff, after the Argentine striker made a quick trip back to his former club Nantes two days after his £15m transfer to Cardiff was announced. | The Piper Malibu N264DB was en route from France to Cardiff, after the Argentine striker made a quick trip back to his former club Nantes two days after his £15m transfer to Cardiff was announced. |
Cardiff City, issued a statement shortly after identification was confirmed, saying: "We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano. He and David will forever remain in our thoughts." | Cardiff City, issued a statement shortly after identification was confirmed, saying: "We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano. He and David will forever remain in our thoughts." |
Some of the club's players reacted via Twitter. Full back Joe Bennett wrote "RIP Emiliano", while centre-half Sol Bamba posted a black-and-white image of the team-mate he never got to play alongside. | Some of the club's players reacted via Twitter. Full back Joe Bennett wrote "RIP Emiliano", while centre-half Sol Bamba posted a black-and-white image of the team-mate he never got to play alongside. |
Stars from the wider footballing world also paid tribute. | Stars from the wider footballing world also paid tribute. |
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger wrote: "Heartbreaking to hear the news about Emiliano Sala. Rest in peace! Thoughts go out to the family and friends of Emiliano and the pilot." | Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger wrote: "Heartbreaking to hear the news about Emiliano Sala. Rest in peace! Thoughts go out to the family and friends of Emiliano and the pilot." |
And Arsenal's Mesut Ozil tweeted: "No words to describe how sad this is. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and also to the family of the pilot." | |
Mr Ibbotson, 59, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, was at the controls when the flight lost contact with air traffic controllers on 21 January. | Mr Ibbotson, 59, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, was at the controls when the flight lost contact with air traffic controllers on 21 January. |
He is yet to be found. | He is yet to be found. |
An official search was called off on 24 January after Guernsey's harbour master said the chances of survival were "extremely remote". | An official search was called off on 24 January after Guernsey's harbour master said the chances of survival were "extremely remote". |
But an online appeal started by Sala's agent raised £324,000 (371,000 euros) for a private search led by marine scientist and oceanographer David Mearns. | But an online appeal started by Sala's agent raised £324,000 (371,000 euros) for a private search led by marine scientist and oceanographer David Mearns. |
Working jointly with the AAIB, his ship and the Geo Ocean III, began combing a four square mile area of the English Channel, 24 nautical miles north of Guernsey, to make best use of the available sensors. | Working jointly with the AAIB, his ship and the Geo Ocean III, began combing a four square mile area of the English Channel, 24 nautical miles north of Guernsey, to make best use of the available sensors. |
Mr Mearns said the plane was identified by sonar, 67m (220ft) below the surface, before a submersible with cameras was sent underwater to confirm this. | Mr Mearns said the plane was identified by sonar, 67m (220ft) below the surface, before a submersible with cameras was sent underwater to confirm this. |
During the recovery operation, the AAIB used a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) to aid the search, with no divers involved. | During the recovery operation, the AAIB used a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) to aid the search, with no divers involved. |
The body was moved first, and separately from the wreckage, to maximise the chances of it being successfully brought to the surface. | The body was moved first, and separately from the wreckage, to maximise the chances of it being successfully brought to the surface. |
It said efforts to recover the crashed plane as a whole proved unsuccessful, before being abandoned due to poor weather. | It said efforts to recover the crashed plane as a whole proved unsuccessful, before being abandoned due to poor weather. |
"The weather forecast is poor for the foreseeable future and so the difficult decision was taken to bring the overall operation to a close," the AAIB said in a statement. | "The weather forecast is poor for the foreseeable future and so the difficult decision was taken to bring the overall operation to a close," the AAIB said in a statement. |
However, the AAIB said video footage captured by the ROV would provide "valuable evidence" for its safety investigation. | However, the AAIB said video footage captured by the ROV would provide "valuable evidence" for its safety investigation. |
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Sala's former club, French Ligue 1 side Nantes, has demanded Cardiff City pay his £15m transfer fee. | Meanwhile, it has emerged that Sala's former club, French Ligue 1 side Nantes, has demanded Cardiff City pay his £15m transfer fee. |
Sala was Cardiff's record signing but never played for the club. | Sala was Cardiff's record signing but never played for the club. |
The fee was due to be paid over three years but Cardiff have withheld the first scheduled payment until they are satisfied with the documentation. | The fee was due to be paid over three years but Cardiff have withheld the first scheduled payment until they are satisfied with the documentation. |