Body visible in wreckage of Sala plane in channel

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

A body is visible in the wreckage of the plane that crashed in the English Channel last month while carrying Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala, British investigators said Monday.

Based on analysis of video footage, an “object of interest on the seabed" was identified as wreckage from the missing Piper Malibu aircraft, said a statement from the U.K.’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

“Tragically … one occupant is visible amidst the wreckage,” it said.

“The AAIB is now considering the next steps, in consultation with the families of the pilot and passenger, and the police,” it added.

The AAIB also said they “intend to publish an interim report within one month of the accident occurring.”

Upon the discovery of the wreckage on Sunday, shipwreck specialist David Mearns, who is leading a private probe, said details of the wreckage location were shared with the AAIB.

"Wreckage of the plane carrying Emiliano Sala and piloted by David Ibbotson was located early this morning," Mearns said on Twitter on Sunday.

Mearns later tweeted: "Tonight our sole thoughts are with the families and friends of Emiliano and David."

The Argentinian footballer was on his way to join his new club, Cardiff City FC, after signing a £15 million ($19.5 million) contract.

The airplane was en route to Cardiff from Nantes, France before it disappeared from radar on Jan. 21 near the Channel Islands.