Egypt plane crash caused by on-board terrorist attack, says Russia

Russia's Federal Security Service has said this morning that last month's Metrojet plane crash in Egypt was caused by a terrorist attack.

Egypt plane crash caused by on-board terrorist attack, says Russia

Russia's Federal Security Service has said this morning that last month's Metrojet plane crash in Egypt was caused by a terrorist attack.

Alexander Bortnikov told President Vladimir Putin that a home-made explosive device blew up on the Airbus plane, causing it to crash in the Sinai Peninsula on October 31.

The Interfax News Agency said quoted officials who said that traces of explosives were found in debris at the crash site.

The so-called 'Islamic State' group has claimed responsibility after the plane came down shortly after taking off from Sharm el Sheikh International Airport, killing all 224 people on board, most of them Russian tourists.

Mr Bortnikov said: “According to our experts, a home-made explosive device equivalent to 1kg of TNT went off on board, which caused the plane to break up in the air, which explains why the fuselage was scattered over such a large territory. I can certainly say that this was a terrorist act.''

Mr Putin vowed to hunt down those responsible for the attack.

“There’s no statute of limitations for this, we need to know all of their names,” the president said.

“We’re going to look for them everywhere, wherever they are hiding. We will find them in any place on Earth and punish them.”

'Islamic State' has claimed responsibility for bringing the Russian plane down in written statements, as well as video and audio messages posted on the internet following the crash.

It said the attack was in retaliation for Russia’s air campaign against it - and other groups – in Syria, where Moscow wants to preserve the rule of President Bashar Assad.

The group warned Mr Putin that it would also target him “at home” but did not offer any details to back its claim.

While releasing specifics would add credibility, the group may be withholding either because its claim is false, or because doing so would undermine plans for similar attacks in the future – or because the aura of mystery might deepen its mystique among die-hard followers.

'IS' has also claimed responsibility for the attacks in Paris last Friday which killed 129 people and wounded 350 others.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Joe Biden
Barack Obama Former presidents help Joe Biden raise $26m for campaign
Greece’s government survives no-confidence motion called over rail disaster Greece’s government survives no-confidence motion called over rail disaster
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited