Islamic State claims it brought down Russian plane over Egypt, killing 220

An Islamic State-linked group in Egypt has reportedly claimed responsibility for downing a Russian passenger jet in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. “The fighters of the Islamic State were able to down a Russian plane over Sinai province that was carrying over 220 Russian crusaders. They were all killed, thanks be to God,” the statement on Twitter said. The claim has not been verified and it is unclear whether militants in the region would have the capability to attack the plane, which was flying at 31,000ft. None of the 224 people on board the Airbus A321 survived the crash, Egyptian authorities have confirmed, following earlier reports that voices had been heard coming from within the wreckage.

The plane split into two, a small part on the tail end that burned and a larger part crashed into a rock.

An Egyptian security officer

The plane, operated by the Russian airline Kogalymavia, also known as Metrojet, took off from the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh shortly before six am local time, bound for the Russian city of St Petersburg. It disappeared from radar screens some 23 minutes into the flight. The captain reportedly told air traffic control shortly after take-off that the plane had a technical fault and requested a change of route. Plane tracking websites showed the aircraft was flying at 31,000 ft before it suddenly dropped 5,000 ft in as little as a minute and disappeared from screens. The wreckage was found in the mountainous Hassana area, 22 miles (35km) south of the northern city of Arish. At least 100 victims, many of whom were still strapped to their seats, have been pulled from the wreckage, rescue officials say.

Until there is reliable evidence about the circumstances of what happened, there is no sense in putting forward and discussing any versions.

Russian aviation regulator Rosaviatsia

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