From The Straits Times    |

Missoni search continues with a deep sea submarineThe Missoni family are using a submarine to search for missing Vittorio Missoni.

The Italian fashion designer and several other people were on board a flight which went off the radar off the coast of Venezuela on January 4, 2013.

They were travelling from the Los Roques resort to Caracas when they disappeared and there has been speculation they might have been kidnapped.

Although neither the plane nor any sign of those on board have been traced, Vittorio’s family have not given up hope.

His brother Luca has been leading the search in Venezuela, with another person taking his place now he has travelled back to Italy.

“[We] continue to hope for the safe return of Vittorio,” he said in a statement.

“I will personally return to Caracas in February to oversee the continuing underwater search being carried out by submarine Deep Sea, a specially equipped vessel for deep water searches.”

Luca added that none of the theories about Vittorio’s disappearance have been ruled out. It has been suggested the plane might have been struck by lightning or that the plane was commandeered by drug smugglers.

“For this reason, I can confirm that in Caracas not only is the search at sea and on the coast not over, but that investigations continue, without neglecting any possibility,” he added.

Vittorio is the son of Ottavio and Rosita Missoni, who set up the iconic fashion house. His sister, creative director Angela Missoni, has said she will not give up hope that her brother will be found alive. Vittorio’s son Ottavio Missoni Jr. insisted it is unlikely the plane crashed during an interview shortly after the disappearance.

“I still believe that they’re alive, that the plane didn’t fall: there is too much evidence that lets me think like this,” he said.

“I have been thinking of so many possible scenarios. But I remain convinced that the least plausible reason is that they crashed into the water.”

There were reports the pilot responsible for the plane carrying the group was not properly licensed, although these have now been dismissed. — Cover Media