Plane goes missing along with Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala

The police have said that Sala and another person were on the plane, 'Piper Malibu', when it went missing.

After intense searches, the police are yet to find any trace of either the missing aircraft or the passengers.

The aircraft apparently left Nantes at 7.15 PM on Monday and had later contacted Jersey air traffic controllers to request descent, but went missing soon after.

The French Civil Aviation Authority said, "This morning, the French research started with one French national navy ship and one aircraft. The investigation will determine which authority will take the lead on the research."

"Sightings of red flares were reported during a lifeboat and helicopter search, but "nothing of significance was found" is what a Channel Islands Air Search spokesperson had to add.

Around 1,000sq miles have been searched by the police, who have also used two lifeboats and five aircraft.

Bad weather had forced the police to call off the search at night, but they again resumed it on Tuesday morning.

Harbor master Captain David Barker said, "We are looking for any traces of an aircraft, a life raft, persons in the water, life jackets."

Sala started his professional career at Bordeaux and then moved on to Nantes after three loan spells.

At Nantes, Sala became a staple in their squad from 2015 to 2019, and managed to score 42 goals in 117 matches.

Cardiff City paid a club record fee of £15 million to sign him from Nantes this January.