The Italian Coast Guard expanded its search for the two missing American balloonists, Richard Abruzzo, 47, of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Dr Carol Rymer-Davies, 65, of Denver, Colorado on Thursday.
Five boats and several helicopters are now searching an area 22 kilometres [14 miles] off the Italian coast in the Adriatic Sea.
Previously the search had been concentrated around the remote Croatian island of Palagruza and had involved Croatian as well as Italian military. Greece and the US are also helping in the search. Hopes were raised on Thursday when something was spotted off the Vieste coast but it turned out to be plastic netting.
The balloonists, who are top pilots, went missing on Wednesday morning near the Italian coast whilst competing in the 54th edition of the Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race, the world’s oldest balloon race.
Now Mr Abruzzo’s wife, Nancy, has arrived in Italy and is travelling to Bari today. Mrs Abruzzo has said that she is tired but hopeful and has thanked the public for their prayers and support. Colleagues of the two balloonists believe that they are on land in a remote area.
