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Egyptair flight MS804: 'Terrorism more likely than technical failure', says Egypt – live | |
(35 minutes later) | |
1.59pm BST | |
13:59 | |
More on that possible find via Reuters: | |
A Greek frigate searching for a missing Egyptair aircraft discovered two large plastic floating objects in a sea area 230 miles south of the island of Crete on Thursday, Greek defence sources said. | |
The two objects appeared to be pieces of plastic in white and red. They were spotted close to an area where a transponder signal was emitted earlier, the sources said. | |
Missing #EgyptAir aircraft debris found south of greek island of Karpathos in southern Mediterranean - greek state tv | |
1.56pm BST | |
13:56 | |
Possible debris found | |
Reuters reports a possible breakthrough. | |
Greek authorities searching for the missing aircraft spot two floating objects in the sea 50 miles south of the island of Karpathos. | |
Updated | |
at 1.59pm BST | |
1.51pm BST | |
13:51 | |
‘Terrorism more likely than technical failure’ | |
Fathy conceded that terrorism was more likely than technical failure to be the cause of the crash . | |
Despite his reluctance to be drawn on the causes, Fathy said: “If you analysis the situation properly the possibility of having a terror attack is higher than the possibility of having a technical [problem]. | |
Updated | |
at 1.52pm BST | |
1.41pm BST | |
13:41 | |
“I am not happy with people making assumptions, while we haven’t found the wreckage yet”, Fahy said in English in response to some bad tempered questions. | |
He said he didn’t know how big the search radius was. It was between Crete and another Greek island he said, after also mentioning the island of Karpathos. | |
1.37pm BST | 1.37pm BST |
13:37 | 13:37 |
Fathy says there were no known security issues with passengers on the plane. Asked whether there had been increase terrorist “chatter” before the plane disappeared, Fathy said: “not according to my information”. | |
He also insisted that air travel to Egypt remained safe. | He also insisted that air travel to Egypt remained safe. |
Fathy confirmed that the plane made a stop in Tunisia before the flight to Paris. | Fathy confirmed that the plane made a stop in Tunisia before the flight to Paris. |
He also said nothing should be concluded from reported sightings of flashes in the sky at the time of plane’s disappearance. | He also said nothing should be concluded from reported sightings of flashes in the sky at the time of plane’s disappearance. |
Updated | Updated |
at 1.53pm BST | |
1.23pm BST | 1.23pm BST |
13:23 | 13:23 |
Fathy confirms that the search operation is focused near the Greek Island of Karpathos. Earlier a Greek aviation source told AFP that the plane came down 130 nautical miles from the island. | Fathy confirms that the search operation is focused near the Greek Island of Karpathos. Earlier a Greek aviation source told AFP that the plane came down 130 nautical miles from the island. |
1.20pm BST | 1.20pm BST |
13:20 | 13:20 |
Here’s a summary of what we know so far about missing EgyptAir flight MS804. | Here’s a summary of what we know so far about missing EgyptAir flight MS804. |
1.06pm BST | 1.06pm BST |
13:06 | 13:06 |
Egypt’s prosecutor general has ordered a state security investigation into the missing plane. Meanwhile, Egypt’s aviation minister Sherif Fathy continues to bat away question. | Egypt’s prosecutor general has ordered a state security investigation into the missing plane. Meanwhile, Egypt’s aviation minister Sherif Fathy continues to bat away question. |
“When I have facts I will tell you the facts,” Fathy tells an increasingly rowdy press conference. “What else can I do?” he asks reporters. | “When I have facts I will tell you the facts,” Fathy tells an increasingly rowdy press conference. “What else can I do?” he asks reporters. |
Earlier Fathy said a terror attack or technical problems could not be ruled out as possible causes of the crash. Fathy said he did not know where the plane was. | Earlier Fathy said a terror attack or technical problems could not be ruled out as possible causes of the crash. Fathy said he did not know where the plane was. |
12.57pm BST | 12.57pm BST |
12:57 | 12:57 |
Our map on the flight’s last movements has been updated | Our map on the flight’s last movements has been updated |
12.55pm BST | 12.55pm BST |
12:55 | 12:55 |
France’s parliament has confirmed a two-month extension of the state of emergency that has been in place since November’s attacks on Paris. | France’s parliament has confirmed a two-month extension of the state of emergency that has been in place since November’s attacks on Paris. |
The extension will cover the Euro 2016 football tournament and the Tour de France. | The extension will cover the Euro 2016 football tournament and the Tour de France. |
“The terrorist threat remains at a high level and France, like the EU, is a target,” said Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve ahead of the vote. | “The terrorist threat remains at a high level and France, like the EU, is a target,” said Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve ahead of the vote. |
The state of emergency was imposed following the 13 November attacks that left 130 people dead in the French capital, and was already extended by three months in February until 26 May. | The state of emergency was imposed following the 13 November attacks that left 130 people dead in the French capital, and was already extended by three months in February until 26 May. |
12.52pm BST | 12.52pm BST |
12:52 | 12:52 |
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has offered assistance. | The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has offered assistance. |
The organisation’s chief inspector, Keith Conradi, said: “We were saddened to hear that EgyptAir Flight MS804 was reported missing this morning. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has offered to assist the Egyptian authorities with their investigation.” | The organisation’s chief inspector, Keith Conradi, said: “We were saddened to hear that EgyptAir Flight MS804 was reported missing this morning. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has offered to assist the Egyptian authorities with their investigation.” |
12.48pm BST | 12.48pm BST |
12:48 | 12:48 |
Fathy urges the media to stop speculating about what caused the crash. He said terrorism and technical causes could not be ruled out. | Fathy urges the media to stop speculating about what caused the crash. He said terrorism and technical causes could not be ruled out. |
The last contact was at 2.30am, he confirms. At 2.50 there were failed attempts to contact the plane, he adds. | The last contact was at 2.30am, he confirms. At 2.50 there were failed attempts to contact the plane, he adds. |
12.44pm BST | 12.44pm BST |
12:44 | 12:44 |
Egypt’s minister of civil aviation, Sherif Fathy, starts his press conference by stating it has been “difficult day”. He says he will continue to use the phrase “missing plane” until debris is found. | Egypt’s minister of civil aviation, Sherif Fathy, starts his press conference by stating it has been “difficult day”. He says he will continue to use the phrase “missing plane” until debris is found. |
12.40pm BST | 12.40pm BST |
12:40 | 12:40 |
Britain’s foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, has confirmed that a British passport holder was on board the plane. | Britain’s foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, has confirmed that a British passport holder was on board the plane. |
Deeply concerned by missing #EgyptAir. Can confirm British passport holder was on board & FCO is supporting the missing passenger’s family. | Deeply concerned by missing #EgyptAir. Can confirm British passport holder was on board & FCO is supporting the missing passenger’s family. |
12.38pm BST | 12.38pm BST |
12:38 | 12:38 |
Helena Smith | Helena Smith |
Greek defence sources are describing time frame between 03:27 to 03:29 as “critical point”, writes Helena Smith. | Greek defence sources are describing time frame between 03:27 to 03:29 as “critical point”, writes Helena Smith. |
It was in this two minute period when the plane made a 90 degree swerve left and dropped from 37,000 feet to 15,000 feet before swerving 360 degrees right and vanishing at 10,000 feet ten to 15 miles inside Egyptian air space. | |
The Greek defence minister Panos Kammenos told reporters in Athens that the country had also scrambled F16 fighter jets to participate in the operation to locate the aircraft off the south eastern Aegean island of Karpathos. | The Greek defence minister Panos Kammenos told reporters in Athens that the country had also scrambled F16 fighter jets to participate in the operation to locate the aircraft off the south eastern Aegean island of Karpathos. |
Greek officials are hoping satellite footage may help locate the wreckage. | Greek officials are hoping satellite footage may help locate the wreckage. |
Updated | |
at 1.46pm BST | |
12.36pm BST | 12.36pm BST |
12:36 | 12:36 |
That press conference by Egypt civil aviation is about to get underway - later than scheduled. | That press conference by Egypt civil aviation is about to get underway - later than scheduled. |
12.31pm BST | 12.31pm BST |
12:31 | 12:31 |
Our latest news story on the crash takes in those comments from François Hollande. | Our latest news story on the crash takes in those comments from François Hollande. |
Related: No theory ruled out as Hollande says EgyptAir flight MS804 crashed | Related: No theory ruled out as Hollande says EgyptAir flight MS804 crashed |
12.28pm BST | 12.28pm BST |
12:28 | 12:28 |
Egypt’s president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has chaired a meeting of the country’s national security council. | Egypt’s president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has chaired a meeting of the country’s national security council. |
His office issued this account of the meeting: | His office issued this account of the meeting: |
The meeting addressed the disappearance of the EgyptAir flight en route from Paris to Cairo. Minister of Civil Aviation Sherif Fathy presented a report detailing the information available so far on the plane’s disappearance. The National Security Council decided to continue search efforts through Egyptian aircraft and naval vessels and work on unraveling the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the plane at the soonest time possible in collaboration with countries including France and Greece. The council also directed the government to provide all assistance possible to the families of the passengers and crew. It also directed EgyptAir crisis centre to follow up on the development of the situation and announce the latest information. | The meeting addressed the disappearance of the EgyptAir flight en route from Paris to Cairo. Minister of Civil Aviation Sherif Fathy presented a report detailing the information available so far on the plane’s disappearance. The National Security Council decided to continue search efforts through Egyptian aircraft and naval vessels and work on unraveling the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the plane at the soonest time possible in collaboration with countries including France and Greece. The council also directed the government to provide all assistance possible to the families of the passengers and crew. It also directed EgyptAir crisis centre to follow up on the development of the situation and announce the latest information. |
Updated | Updated |
at 1.43pm BST | |
11.57am BST | 11.57am BST |
11:57 | 11:57 |
Greece issues timeline | Greece issues timeline |
Greece’s civil aviation department has issued this timeline on MS804’s last moments and attempts to reach it: | Greece’s civil aviation department has issued this timeline on MS804’s last moments and attempts to reach it: |
02:24: EgyptAir flight 804 from Paris to Cairo enters Greek airspace, air traffic controller permissions it for the remainder of its course. | 02:24: EgyptAir flight 804 from Paris to Cairo enters Greek airspace, air traffic controller permissions it for the remainder of its course. |
02:48: The flight is transferred to the next air traffic control sector and is cleared for exit from Greek airspace. “The pilot was in good spirits and thanked the controller in Greek.” | 02:48: The flight is transferred to the next air traffic control sector and is cleared for exit from Greek airspace. “The pilot was in good spirits and thanked the controller in Greek.” |
03:27: Athens air traffic control tries to contact the aircraft to convey information on the switch of communications and control from Athens to Cairo air traffic. In spite of repeated calls, the aircraft does not respond, whereupon the air traffic controller calls the distress frequency, without a response from the aircraft. | 03:27: Athens air traffic control tries to contact the aircraft to convey information on the switch of communications and control from Athens to Cairo air traffic. In spite of repeated calls, the aircraft does not respond, whereupon the air traffic controller calls the distress frequency, without a response from the aircraft. |
03:29: It is above the exit point (from Greek airspace). | 03:29: It is above the exit point (from Greek airspace). |
03:39:40: The aircraft signal is lost, approximately 7 nautical miles south/southeast of the KUMBI point, within Cairo FIR. Immediately the assistance of radars of the Hellenic Air Force is requested to detect the target, without result. | 03:39:40: The aircraft signal is lost, approximately 7 nautical miles south/southeast of the KUMBI point, within Cairo FIR. Immediately the assistance of radars of the Hellenic Air Force is requested to detect the target, without result. |
03:45: The processes of search and rescue are initiated, simultaneously informing the Flight Information Region of Cairo. | 03:45: The processes of search and rescue are initiated, simultaneously informing the Flight Information Region of Cairo. |
Updated | Updated |
at 11.57am BST | at 11.57am BST |