UK Suspends Flights To Sharm, Fearing Bomb Caused Russian Plane Crash

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British government grounds Sharm el-Sheikh flights

bomb

Downing Street say that the Russian plane that crashed in Egypt on Saturday was probably brought down by a bomb.

All  flights between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh were grounded Wednesday evening while UK experts assess security at the Egyptian airport.

Prime Minister David Cameron is to chair a meeting of the Government’s Cobra emergencies committee this evening after new information emerged.

The BBC reports:

Number 10 said flights had been delayed as a “precautionary measure” after “more information has come to light”.

Russian Airbus 321 crashed on Saturday, killing all 224 people on board.

“We would underline that this is a precautionary step and we are working closely with the airlines on this approach,” a Number 10 spokesman said.

Aviation experts have travelled to Egypt to make an assessment of the security arrangements at the Egyptian airport and expect to complete an investigation tonight.

Their findings will be considered in a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee, chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron, which is under way.

Egypt’s President Sisi is currently in the UK, and is due to meet the prime minister on Thursday. They spoke on Tuesday before Downing Street released its statement.

‘An explosive device’
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the delays would allow UK experts time to make sure “the right security measures are in place”.

“We can not categorically say why the Russia jet crashed but we have become concerned that the plane may well have been brought down as a result of an explosive device,” he said.

 

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