The Kremlin stressed that the suspension of flights did not mean Russian Federation believes a terrorist attack was the cause of the plane crash.
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“Egypt fully co-operates with the British side in the light of the resources of the airport and in accordance with worldwide security regulations”.
The Russian airliner that crashed in Egypt left debris covering an 8-mile area – a sign “consistent with an in-flight break up”, the head of the commission investigating the crash said Saturday morning.
He suggested that Egypt’s allies haven’t seriously heeded the country’s previous calls for coordination, and accused them of acting against his nation’s interests.
France 2 TV is reporting that “the sound of an explosion can be distinctly heard during the flight” according to “an investigator who had access to the black box” of the Metrojet plane that crashed in Egypt’s Senai Peninsula.
Sources say the data recorder showed the flight was traveling perfectly normal and without incident for 24 minutes, then suffered a “violent and sudden explosive decompression”, breaking apart mid-air and crashing into a mountainous part of the peninsula. Apparently referring to the USA and British reports, he added, “We were hoping that this technical information would be handed over to us instead of widely passing it out to the media”.
Russian officials have been skeptical of an Islamic State Sinai affiliate’s claim of responsibility for the crash.
The British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the delays to flights for Britons stranded in the Red Sea resort were caused by the much higher level of security checking being imposed.
“On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Egypt+on+FSB+Advice+%C2%A0” Putin ordered the suspension of all Russian flights to Egypt and the evacuation of 50 000 Russians now on holiday in Egypt. “That is the most important thing, it is the utmost priority for the Government, and we will do it in a way that is as convenient and as quick as possible for people”.
“We understand that tour operators and airlines are working to ensure that where people need to extend their stay at their resort, necessary costs will be covered”, he said.
The statement did not describe the event, but said an investigation “concluded there was no cause for concern” and it was safe to fly into Sharm el-Sheikh.
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A British tourist plane heading in to land at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh came within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of a missile in August, it was reported Saturday. Investigations have revealed that it was most likely a bomb that downed the flight and the terror group Islamic State has said they are responsible.
