PARIS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Search for a disappeared plane carrying Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala has been ended, announced Guernsey police in charge of the work on Thursday.
Sala, who had joined Premier League club Cardiff City last weekend, flew back to meet his former teammates in Nantes on Monday, but his plane flying from Nantes to Cardiff disappeared from radar over the English Channel.
The Harbor Master Captain David Barker said in a statement that "we have reviewed all the information available to us, as well as knowing what emergency equipment was on board, and have taken the difficult decision to end the search", adding that "the chances of survival at this stage are extremely remote."
The police said that despite the best efforts of air and search assests from the Channel Islands which has covered an area of approximately 1,700 square miles (around 4,400 square kilometers), they have been unable to find any trace of the aircraft, the pilot or the passenger.
"There has been over 24 hours of continous searching, with 80 hours combined flying time across three planes and five helicopters. Two lifeboats have also been involved, as well as assistance from various passing ships and fishing boats," read the statement.
According to the police, "next of kin have been informed of this development."
"The final aircraft searching for the missing plane and those on board has now landed," the police said. "Although we are no longer actively searching, the incident remains open and we will be broadcasting to all vessels and aircraft in the area to keep a look out for any trace of the aircraft. This will continue indefinitely."
After having scored 12 goals in 19 league appearances for Nantes, Sala joined Cardiff City for a club record fee of 15 million pounds.
"At this time of immeasurable sadness, our thoughts are with the family and friends of both men on board, the fans of both FC Nantes, Cardiff City, and their connections around the world," Cardiff City said in a statement.
