‘Fitness Industry Pioneer’ German Billionaire Missing After Plane Crash During Travel

Rainer Schaller, Two Children and Others Involved in Caribbean Accident... Costa Rica Authorities "Two Bodies Found"
Owns Chain of Over 1,000 Fitness Centers in More Than 50 Countries Worldwide

Some luggage and airplane debris discovered by Costa Rican authorities. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] A German billionaire known as the godfather of the global fitness industry has gone missing after a plane crash in the Caribbean, prompting Costa Rican authorities to launch a search operation.

Latin American media outlet Infobae reported on the 23rd (local time) that a plane carrying RSG (Rainer Schaller Group) CEO Rainer Schaller (53) and his family suddenly disappeared from air traffic control radar while flying over the Caribbean near Lim?n Province in eastern Costa Rica on the 21st.

The plane, which took off from Mexico and was heading to Costa Rica, lost communication, after which Costa Rican authorities began a search operation. They recovered one adult and one minor body nearby, along with their backpacks, bags, and pieces of the aircraft, Infobae reported. However, the identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed.

Costa Rican authorities stated that the plane, piloted by a Swiss national, was carrying Schaller, a 44-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man, and two children. Jorge Torres, Costa Rica’s Minister of Public Security, explained, "We found some luggage and aircraft debris about 28 km off the coast from Lim?n Airport."

The Costa Rican Coast Guard and others are using vessels to search for the missing persons.

Schaller oversees a chain of over 1,000 fitness centers across more than 50 countries worldwide under RSG, including McFit, John Reed, and Gold's Gym. His older brother is conductor Gert Schaller, recognized for his unique Bruckner editions and performances.

Meanwhile, RSG has not responded to requests for comment on whether Schaller was on board the plane.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.