Guernsey Police have suspended search and rescue operations for Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala after admitting his chances of surviving at this stage are slim.
During a 15-hour search, various items were seen floating in the English Channel, but no signs of life were found.
The striker was on board the plane that went missing over the English Channel on Monday evening, the French civil aviation authority have confirmed.
Cardiff’s new signing was one of two people on the light aircraft travelling from Nantes to Cardiff which disappeared from radar near Casquets lighthouse, Alderney at around 8:30pm on Monday.
Guernsey Police released a short statement on their Twitter account at 4.49pm giving a grim update on the tragic situation.
It read: “During the course of the 15-hour search, which used multiple air and sea assets from the Channel Islands, UK and France, a number of floating objects have been seen in the water. We have been unable to confirm whether any of these are from the missing aircraft.
“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. Two planes and a lifeboat are still searching. A decision about an overnight search will be taken shortly.
At 5.03pm, Guernsey Police released another statement confirming they would resume searches at sunrise on Wednesday.
A spokesperson said: “Search and rescue operations have been suspended as the sun has now set. The current plan is for it to resume at sunrise tomorrow. There will be no further updates tonight.”
Guernsey Police said the Piper PA-46 Malibu, a single turbine engine aircraft, departed Nantes at 7.15pm on Monday.
On passing Guernsey it “requested descent”, but Jersey air traffic control (ATC) lost contact with the plane while it was flying at 2,300ft.
Guernsey Coastguard received an alert at 8.23pm from Jersey ATC that a light aircraft had gone off their radar approximately 15 miles north of Guernsey.
In the early afternoon Ken Choo, the club’s executive director and CEO, released a second statement.
“We were very shocked upon hearing the news that the plane had gone missing,” it read. “We expected Emiliano to arrive last night into Cardiff and today was due to be his first day with the team.
“Our owner, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, and chairman, Mehmet Dalman, are all very distressed about the situation.
“We made the decision first thing this morning to call off training with the thoughts of the squad, management staff and the entire Club with Emiliano and the pilot.
“All of us at Cardiff City FC would like to thank our fans, and the entire footballing family for their support at this difficult time.
“We continue to pray for positive news.”