Egypt says terrorism ‘not behind’ downing of Russian airliner over Sinai

Egyptian officials say there is no evidence to believe the Russian jet which crashed in Sinai was brought down by terrorists. A preliminary report on the plane crash on 31 October that killed all 224 people on board said investigators had “so far not found anything indicating any illegal intervention or terrorist action”. Contrary to the initial findings of the Egyptian investigation into the plane crash, Russia believes the Metrojet airliner was brought down by a bomb.

(We have) so far not found anything indicating any illegal intervention or terrorist action.

Egyptian investigators

Last month, a member of the air accident investigation team in Egypt said investigators were “90% sure” the noise heard on the black box of the airliner seconds before it crashed was caused by a bomb. The US and Britain have also previously said an explosive device is likely to have brought down the aircraft. A group affiliated to Islamic State has claimed responsibility for bringing down the plane, but has not provided any evidence to confirm it was behind the attack.

Africa Sinai jet