Body visible in wreckage of Sala plane in channel

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal</p> <p>LONDON (AA) – 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.</p> <p>Based on analysis of video footage, an “object of interest on the seabed&quot; was identified as wreckage from the missing Piper Malibu aircraft, said a statement from the U.K.’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).</p> <p>“Tragically … one occupant is visible amidst the wreckage,” it said.</p> <p>“The AAIB is now considering the next steps, in consultation with the families of the pilot and passenger, and the police,” it added.</p> <p>The AAIB also said they “intend to publish an interim report within one month of the accident occurring.”</p> <p>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.</p> <p>&quot;Wreckage of the plane carrying Emiliano Sala and piloted by David Ibbotson was located early this morning,&quot; Mearns said on Twitter on Sunday.</p> <p>Mearns later tweeted: &quot;Tonight our sole thoughts are with the families and friends of Emiliano and David.&quot; </p> <p>The Argentinian footballer was on his way to join his new club, Cardiff City FC, after signing a £15 million ($19.5 million) contract.</p> <p>The airplane was en route to Cardiff from Nantes, France before it disappeared from radar on Jan. 21 near the Channel Islands.