Other experts were more upbeat about the chances that some sort of salvage operation might work.

BBC: Analysis: Salvaging the Prestige

The energetic Jean-Yves Empereur, who runs the French-funded Centre d'Etudes Alexandrines on a shoestring, has managed to juggle several salvage excavations in the city with underwater work offshore.

ECONOMIST: Alexandria

"We have two games left so if we can win both of those we can salvage some pride and give ourselves something to work with back in England this summer, " he added.

BBC: A policeman lies injured at the Nehru stadium

As optimism swept over the town in recent weeks, studio executives and producers frantically prepared themselves for this day, hoping to salvage the remainder of the current television season and getting to work on fare for the next.

FORBES: A Hollywood Ending?