A navy minesweeper located the plane in deep water.

A navy minesweeper located the plane in deep water.

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPollensa15/06/2018 00:00
TW
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The Air Tractor fire-fighting plane that went missing on Tuesday has been located. One of the navy's minesweepers, Tajo, which started searching the area off Pollensa early on Friday morning, detected the plane and the body of the pilot, Antonio Alfaro, on Friday afternoon at quarter past three. The discovery, using the ship's sonar equipment, was two miles north of Majorca in the area of Cala Romaguera, not far from Cala San Vicente. The plane was in water of some sixty-two metres depth.

The ministry of defence stated on Twitter that a submarine was deployed once the sonar had detected the plane on the seabed. Images obtained by the submarine showed there to be a body inside the plane.

The environment minister Vicenç Vidal and public administration minister Catalina Cladera both offered their deepest sympathies to the family of Antonio Alfaro. They also praised the "excellent work" of those involved in the search.

Antonio Alfaro's brother, Noel, spoke emotionally about how happy Antonio had been to work and live on an island that has honoured him in life and in death. He thanked all those who had taken part in the search for the enormous efforts they had made.

A plan is now being worked on to recover the plane and the body.