Wreckage of plane carrying Emiliano Sala found, say investigators

The Piper aircraft went missing over the English Channel on January 21

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The missing plane carrying Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala and his pilot has been found, the search co-ordinator and air investigators said on Sunday.

"I can confirm it has been found," a spokesperson for Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) told AFP.

The AAIB was assisted in locating the aircraft by the Geo Ocean III ship and a ship led by marine expert and shipwreck hunter David Mearns, the FPV Morven.

The Geo Ocean III will remain at the site overnight.

Mr Mearns, who was co-ordinating a privately funded search for the aircraft, wrote on Twitter that "the families of Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson have been notified by police."

"Tonight our sole thoughts are with the families and friends of Emiliano and David," he wrote.

The Piper aircraft disappeared from radars near the Channel Islands on its way to Cardiff on January 21.

Mr Sala was travelling from France to join up with his new club, Premier League side Cardiff City.

Cardiff City supporters paid tribute to Emiliano Sala on Saturday in emotional scenes before the Welsh club won their Premier League clash with Bournemouth.