Air crash fears for local man

The aircraft, chartered by Australian company Sundance Resources, disappeared on Saturday half an hour after it left Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, on its way to the Republic of Congo.

It is understood James Cassley, (31)who was born in Ballymena, but grew up in Quin in Co Clare, was travelling on his British passport when aviation officials lost contact with the aircraft.

The plane was carrying mining executives and staff including mining magnate, Mr. Ken Talbot, one of Australia's richest men.

The Cameroonian information minister said nine or ten bodies had been found in the wreckage.

The missing plane was discovered in dense jungle inside Republic of Congo, but no survivors were found.

Mr Cassley, who is believed to be in his early 30s, is based in London.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin has said it is "aware of the situation" and is being helped by Australian and British authorities in the area.

Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith said the plane made two routine radio calls during its flight, one of them 30 minutes after take-off. Neither of the calls indicated the plane was in any trouble. Weather conditions were generally good at the time of the flight.

A family relative lives near Ballymena.

He said the missing man's father, Hector, was from Armoy and his mother originally from Carnlough and that both were on their way to Africa.

"They only had one son," he said.