Two helicopters, several planes and about 500 rescuers on Friday scoured a snow-laden area in Iceland where a small tourist plane has been missing for more than a day.
The Cessna C172 with an Icelandic pilot and three foreign tourists hasn't been heard from since taking off from the capital Reykjavik on Thursday morning for the Golden Circle in the country's south-west.
“The flight conditions were good. We haven't received any distress signal or an alert,” coastguard spokesman Asgeir Erlendsson said.
The plane was due to return to Reykjavik two hours later.
The coastguard said the pilot was a local man in his 50s while the three foreign passengers were younger.
It did not specify their nationalities.
“We are basing our research on information gleaned from telephone conversations and air traffic control,” the spokesman said, and added that the plane was last tracked at a distance of about 50 kilometres from the capital.
About 700 rescuers, including members of the police and the coastguard as well as a Danish air force plane took part in search operations on Thursday.
Officials said the plane may have crashed over Thingvellir National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site about 50 kilometres east of Reykjavik that contains Iceland’s second-largest lake.
Asgrimur Larus Asgrimsson, head of operations for Iceland's coastguard, said that mobile phone data “has given us a reason to narrow the search area down to the Thingvellir area".
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
