For the first time since the search for the missing Cessna 182 was launched, parts of the plane were spotted.
Director of the Civil Protection Directorate Damir Trut and the head of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) addressed the public around 12 o’clock.
–Â Parts of the aircraft were spotted today at 10:50. The difficult weather conditions kept us going for these 23 hours, but those present here, did their job. I confirm that all passengers were killed. This way, I express my condolences to the families – said Trut.
He said police cordoned off the spot where the aircraft was found and that an investigation would determine the cause of the crash.
He thanked all members of the HGSS, firefighters, and members of the Directorate and said that the search was difficult.
–Â The police have secured the area and a criminal investigation is underway. It is an ongoing procedure – he added.
When asked about the citizenship of passengers and pilots, he said that he could not confirm the allegations, but the police did.
We would like to remind you that a Cessna plane that took off from Split to Germany disappeared on Sunday near Rakovica at around 11:30. After the disappearance, the Croatian Air Navigation Services informed the Civil Protection Operations Center about a 2,300-foot Cessna aircraft north of Rakovica, which was departing from Split and heading north towards Germany.
The Operational Center for Civil Protection informed the Operational Communication Center of the Ministry of the Interior and the HGSS about the coordinates of the disappearance. The pilot and three passengers were on the plane, including a Croatian citizen.
