Rescue workers are expected to resume their search at first light on Wednesday for Argentinean footballer, Emiliano Sala, and at least one other person on board a light aircraft that went missing over the English Channel on Monday.
Sala is an Argentine professional footballer, who plays as a forward and is contracted to Premier League side Cardiff City.
Five aircraft and two lifeboats scoured over 2,600 square kilometres for traces of the plane after it disappeared from radar en route from France’s Nantes to Wales’s Cardiff on Monday.
Guernsey Police said on Tuesday there were “slim’’ chances of finding survivors.
Police added: “We have found no signs of those on board, if they did land on the water, the chances of survival are at this stage, unfortunately, slim.’’
Officials in Guernsey, a channel island off the coast of north-west France, suspended their search on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old footballer was en route to Wales from France after recently signing with Premier League club Cardiff City.
Police began the search and rescue operation off the nearby island of Alderney, hours after the light aircraft PA 46 Malibu disappeared from radar late on Monday.
Guernsey Police said two people were on the plane.
However, France Info reported there were two passengers and a pilot on board.
Cardiff Executive Director, Ken Choo, said the club was shocked over the situation.
Meanwhile, Sala’s most recent WhatsApp message, which has emerged, indicated that the 28-year-old was frightened before the plane’s disappearance.
“If you don’t hear any news from me in one and a half hours.
“I don’t know if they’ll even send anyone to look for me because they won’t find me anyway, then you’ll know what’s up.
“Papa, I’m so scared,’’ the Argentine newspaper, Clarin, published the one-minute voice message sent to a friend.
The player’s father, Horacio Sala, confirmed its authenticity.
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