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EgyptAir flight MS804 crash: airline retracts claim about plane wreckage find– live EgyptAir flight MS804 crash: airline retracts claim about plane wreckage find– live
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Summary
Here’s what we know so far about EgyptAir flight MS804, which went missing en route from Paris to Cairo at 2.30am local time Thursday morning.
Related: Terrorism 'most likely' cause of EgyptAir flight MS804 crash
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Though officials have said terrorism is the most likely cause of MS804’s disappearance and assumed crash, a US intelligence review have of satellite imagery has so far not shown evidence of an explosion, Reuters reports.Though officials have said terrorism is the most likely cause of MS804’s disappearance and assumed crash, a US intelligence review have of satellite imagery has so far not shown evidence of an explosion, Reuters reports.
Reuters cites officials from several US agencies.Reuters cites officials from several US agencies.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, said the conclusion was the result of a preliminary examination of imagery and cautioned against media reports suggesting the United States believed a bomb was responsible for the crash.The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, said the conclusion was the result of a preliminary examination of imagery and cautioned against media reports suggesting the United States believed a bomb was responsible for the crash.
The United States has not ruled out any possible causes for the crash, including mechanical failure, terrorism or a deliberate act by the pilot or crew, they said.The United States has not ruled out any possible causes for the crash, including mechanical failure, terrorism or a deliberate act by the pilot or crew, they said.
National security adviser Ben Rhodes has meanwhile told reporters that the White House is not making any claims about what happened to the missing plane.National security adviser Ben Rhodes has meanwhile told reporters that the White House is not making any claims about what happened to the missing plane.
"Our Government has not reached a formal determination about what took place," says @rhodes44 about the EgyptAir crash."Our Government has not reached a formal determination about what took place," says @rhodes44 about the EgyptAir crash.
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Egypt’s government has published a video of its search mission, posting on YouTube with the title: “efforts by the Egyptian navy and air force to find the missing airplane”.Egypt’s government has published a video of its search mission, posting on YouTube with the title: “efforts by the Egyptian navy and air force to find the missing airplane”.
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EgyptAir retracts claim to have found wreckageEgyptAir retracts claim to have found wreckage
EgyptAir has retracted its claim to have found debris belonging to flight MS804.EgyptAir has retracted its claim to have found debris belonging to flight MS804.
“We stand corrected,” Airline vice-president Ahmed Adel has told CNN, adding that the wreckage “is not our aircraft”.“We stand corrected,” Airline vice-president Ahmed Adel has told CNN, adding that the wreckage “is not our aircraft”.
The retraction now puts EgyptAir in line with Greek officials, who had earlier cast doubt on the claim by Egyptian authorities. Neither the airline nor Egypt’s foreign ministry have yet made a public statement.The retraction now puts EgyptAir in line with Greek officials, who had earlier cast doubt on the claim by Egyptian authorities. Neither the airline nor Egypt’s foreign ministry have yet made a public statement.
Earlier on Thursday Athanasios Binis, the head of Greece’s air safety authority, has told the AFP. The debris found near Karpathos island “does not come from a plane”.Earlier on Thursday Athanasios Binis, the head of Greece’s air safety authority, has told the AFP. The debris found near Karpathos island “does not come from a plane”.
"We stand corrected on finding the wreckage because what we identified is not a part of our plane," says EgyptAir Vice Chairman Ahmed Adel"We stand corrected on finding the wreckage because what we identified is not a part of our plane," says EgyptAir Vice Chairman Ahmed Adel
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Egyptian and Greek authorities appear to have gotten on the same page, at least to some degree: EgyptAir has retracted its earlier “confirmation” of found debris to CNN.Egyptian and Greek authorities appear to have gotten on the same page, at least to some degree: EgyptAir has retracted its earlier “confirmation” of found debris to CNN.
The airline has yet to make any public statement, but multiple CNN editors and correspondents are reporting that they managed to contact EgyptAir.The airline has yet to make any public statement, but multiple CNN editors and correspondents are reporting that they managed to contact EgyptAir.
Earlier on Thursday the airline’s vice-president personally told CNN he could confirm that MS804 debris had been recovered, only for that report to be contradicted by Greek officials assisting with the search.Earlier on Thursday the airline’s vice-president personally told CNN he could confirm that MS804 debris had been recovered, only for that report to be contradicted by Greek officials assisting with the search.
BREAKING Egyptair had originally told #CNN "We have found the wreckage," but they have retracted. Flight with 66 ppl aboard is still MISSINGBREAKING Egyptair had originally told #CNN "We have found the wreckage," but they have retracted. Flight with 66 ppl aboard is still MISSING
#Egyptair wreckage NOT yet found, debris found not from plane, says Greek air authorities. Egyptair now says VP was wrong in CNN interview.#Egyptair wreckage NOT yet found, debris found not from plane, says Greek air authorities. Egyptair now says VP was wrong in CNN interview.
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Egypt’s investigation faces difficult obstacles to finding out what exactly brought down MS804, Reuters reports – including basic coordination with other nations.Egypt’s investigation faces difficult obstacles to finding out what exactly brought down MS804, Reuters reports – including basic coordination with other nations.
Egypt will lead the probe with the help of officials from France, where the 12-year-old jet was built and which had the second-largest number of people on board after Egypt, Ayman al-Moqadem, head of Egypt’s air accident agency, said.Egypt will lead the probe with the help of officials from France, where the 12-year-old jet was built and which had the second-largest number of people on board after Egypt, Ayman al-Moqadem, head of Egypt’s air accident agency, said.
A French minister said three investigators from the BEA air crash investigation agency were on their way to Egypt, together with an expert from Airbus.A French minister said three investigators from the BEA air crash investigation agency were on their way to Egypt, together with an expert from Airbus.
There was no immediate word on whether the United States, where engine maker Pratt & Whitney is based, would take part.There was no immediate word on whether the United States, where engine maker Pratt & Whitney is based, would take part.
Under global aviation rules, the country that produced the engines can expect to take part in an air crash investigation.Under global aviation rules, the country that produced the engines can expect to take part in an air crash investigation.
But a US official said US agencies there fear Egypt will try to keep American investigators at arms length due to historical tensions which date back to the crash of EgyptAir 990 off the U.S. coast in 1999.But a US official said US agencies there fear Egypt will try to keep American investigators at arms length due to historical tensions which date back to the crash of EgyptAir 990 off the U.S. coast in 1999.
Relations between Egyptian and US aviation agencies have been tense since US investigators publicly concluded that a suicidal co-pilot deliberately crashed the Boeing 767.Relations between Egyptian and US aviation agencies have been tense since US investigators publicly concluded that a suicidal co-pilot deliberately crashed the Boeing 767.
Egyptian investigators accused the National Transportation Safety Board of twisting evidence to support its suicide theory and produced their own report citing technical problems.Egyptian investigators accused the National Transportation Safety Board of twisting evidence to support its suicide theory and produced their own report citing technical problems.
Relations also appeared cool following the bombing of a Russian jet equipped with similar engines over Sinai in October.Relations also appeared cool following the bombing of a Russian jet equipped with similar engines over Sinai in October.
“I think certainly during the early and even middle part of that investigation ... a lot of our people were kept at arm’s length,” U. House Intelligence Committee member Adam Schiff told MSNBC.“I think certainly during the early and even middle part of that investigation ... a lot of our people were kept at arm’s length,” U. House Intelligence Committee member Adam Schiff told MSNBC.
Safety experts said Egypt had moved noticeably more quickly this time to discuss possible causes including terrorism, though other technical flaws or human error could not be ruled out.Safety experts said Egypt had moved noticeably more quickly this time to discuss possible causes including terrorism, though other technical flaws or human error could not be ruled out.
“This is going to be a difficult investigation,” a former investigator familiar with the region said.“This is going to be a difficult investigation,” a former investigator familiar with the region said.
Egypt said investigators would start searching for black boxes and gather evidence as soon as the crash site was found.Egypt said investigators would start searching for black boxes and gather evidence as soon as the crash site was found.
France’s BEA is expected to play a major role in the underwater hunt after leading the search for an Air France jet that crashed in the Atlantic in 2009 and an Egyptian jet that crashed off Sharm el-Sheikh in 2004, killing French tourists.France’s BEA is expected to play a major role in the underwater hunt after leading the search for an Air France jet that crashed in the Atlantic in 2009 and an Egyptian jet that crashed off Sharm el-Sheikh in 2004, killing French tourists.
Total confusion here in #Cairo. The Greeks are now saying THE wreckage found near the Greek island of Karpathos was NOT from the #MS840Total confusion here in #Cairo. The Greeks are now saying THE wreckage found near the Greek island of Karpathos was NOT from the #MS840
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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered the civil aviation ministry, the army’s search and rescue center, the navy, and the air force “to take all necessary measures to locate debris,” Reuters reports.Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered the civil aviation ministry, the army’s search and rescue center, the navy, and the air force “to take all necessary measures to locate debris,” Reuters reports.
In a statement issued by his office, Sisi also ordered an investigative committee formed by the civil aviation ministry to immediately start investigating the causes of the plane’s disappearance.In a statement issued by his office, Sisi also ordered an investigative committee formed by the civil aviation ministry to immediately start investigating the causes of the plane’s disappearance.
The Egyptian military has said it did not receive a distress call, the AP reports, though Egypt’s state-run daily Al-Ahram quoted an unidentified airport official as saying the pilot did not send one.The Egyptian military has said it did not receive a distress call, the AP reports, though Egypt’s state-run daily Al-Ahram quoted an unidentified airport official as saying the pilot did not send one.
The absence of a distress call suggests that whatever sent the aircraft plummeting into the sea was sudden and brief.The absence of a distress call suggests that whatever sent the aircraft plummeting into the sea was sudden and brief.
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Gwyn TophamGwyn Topham
The crash of MS804 has again raised fears again about the safety of flying to Egypt and airport security in general, my colleague Gwyn Topham reports.The crash of MS804 has again raised fears again about the safety of flying to Egypt and airport security in general, my colleague Gwyn Topham reports.
In France as in Egypt, the insider threat from airport staff, whether radicalised or induced, has been raised by security experts, who point to the number of screening, baggage, catering, technical and cleaning staff with access to planes.In France as in Egypt, the insider threat from airport staff, whether radicalised or induced, has been raised by security experts, who point to the number of screening, baggage, catering, technical and cleaning staff with access to planes.
One leading expert privately expressed concern about Paris’s major airport, which has had a history of terror-related activity as well as being a target; notoriously, the British shoe bomber Richard Reid travelled from Brussels to Charles de Gaulle to board a flight to Miami in 2001 despite security agents’ concerns.One leading expert privately expressed concern about Paris’s major airport, which has had a history of terror-related activity as well as being a target; notoriously, the British shoe bomber Richard Reid travelled from Brussels to Charles de Gaulle to board a flight to Miami in 2001 despite security agents’ concerns.
Under the state of emergency in France, authorities have searched the lockers of airport staff and carried out checks on the thousands of employees with passes for sensitive airside areas of the airport - revoking access for dozens of staff. Bans on taking liquids or gels through security screening have since been applied to airport and airline crew as well as passengers.Under the state of emergency in France, authorities have searched the lockers of airport staff and carried out checks on the thousands of employees with passes for sensitive airside areas of the airport - revoking access for dozens of staff. Bans on taking liquids or gels through security screening have since been applied to airport and airline crew as well as passengers.
The EgyptAir flight was travelling with three security officers aboard, which has been normal procedure for some decades for numerous airlines in the Middle East. It was not carrying cargo. The security officers would have travelled throughout the plane’s various sectors in the previous 24 hours, which included stops at Carthage airport in Tunis and the Eritrean capital, Asmara.The EgyptAir flight was travelling with three security officers aboard, which has been normal procedure for some decades for numerous airlines in the Middle East. It was not carrying cargo. The security officers would have travelled throughout the plane’s various sectors in the previous 24 hours, which included stops at Carthage airport in Tunis and the Eritrean capital, Asmara.
Despite the wider unrest in Eritrea and the terror threat within Tunisia, where 38 tourists were killed by a local gunman last year, security experts say it is no more likely that any explosive device would have been placed on the plane in north Africa than in Paris.Despite the wider unrest in Eritrea and the terror threat within Tunisia, where 38 tourists were killed by a local gunman last year, security experts say it is no more likely that any explosive device would have been placed on the plane in north Africa than in Paris.
Norman Shanks, former head of security at Heathrow, said European regulations required security screening on every aircraft on a turnaround: “The search wouldn’t be the responsibility of the airport, but the airline, which would either do it themselves or employ a contractor.” That would normally mean checking passenger areas, overhead bins, under seats and all compartments of the aircraft, he said, but added: “How detailed a search it would be is down to the people involved.”Norman Shanks, former head of security at Heathrow, said European regulations required security screening on every aircraft on a turnaround: “The search wouldn’t be the responsibility of the airport, but the airline, which would either do it themselves or employ a contractor.” That would normally mean checking passenger areas, overhead bins, under seats and all compartments of the aircraft, he said, but added: “How detailed a search it would be is down to the people involved.”
David Gleave, an air accident investigator and aviation expert at Loughborough University, said that planting a bomb earlier in the itinerary was no more likely than in Paris: “EgyptAir had three security guards and there are thorough inspection procedures. Leaving a bomb onboard during five sectors [separate journeys] is possible but leaves a lot of issues about it exploding at the right point.David Gleave, an air accident investigator and aviation expert at Loughborough University, said that planting a bomb earlier in the itinerary was no more likely than in Paris: “EgyptAir had three security guards and there are thorough inspection procedures. Leaving a bomb onboard during five sectors [separate journeys] is possible but leaves a lot of issues about it exploding at the right point.
“Barometric timing [triggering through changing air pressure] doesn’t seem to be possible, and the longer you leave a bomb in a plane the more likely it is to be discovered.”“Barometric timing [triggering through changing air pressure] doesn’t seem to be possible, and the longer you leave a bomb in a plane the more likely it is to be discovered.”
Military radar could show the movements of large segments of a plane that had suffered a catastrophic breakup, Gleave said.Military radar could show the movements of large segments of a plane that had suffered a catastrophic breakup, Gleave said.
He said the black boxes, designed to survive the impact, should be relatively easy to retrieve in the Mediterranean compared to other searches - certainly that of MH370. Investigators from the UK AAIB, with recent experience of recovering wreckage from the North Sea coastline, have offered assistance.He said the black boxes, designed to survive the impact, should be relatively easy to retrieve in the Mediterranean compared to other searches - certainly that of MH370. Investigators from the UK AAIB, with recent experience of recovering wreckage from the North Sea coastline, have offered assistance.
Related: Fears over flying to Egypt only increase after crash of flight MS804Related: Fears over flying to Egypt only increase after crash of flight MS804
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Greek sources dispute wreckage claimGreek sources dispute wreckage claim
Greek officials have cast doubt on Egypt’s confirmation that it found debris belonging to flight MS804, giving a conflicting account of the findings to the Associated Press and Reuters.Greek officials have cast doubt on Egypt’s confirmation that it found debris belonging to flight MS804, giving a conflicting account of the findings to the Associated Press and Reuters.
Ehab, Badawy, Egypt’s ambassador to France, told the nation’s BFM television: “All I will say is that our embassy in Athens told us that it was contacted by Greek authorities, who signalled that they found white and blue debris corresponding to EgyptAir’s colours.”Ehab, Badawy, Egypt’s ambassador to France, told the nation’s BFM television: “All I will say is that our embassy in Athens told us that it was contacted by Greek authorities, who signalled that they found white and blue debris corresponding to EgyptAir’s colours.”
But Greek sources have told Reuters the material they had found so far was not blue and white.But Greek sources have told Reuters the material they had found so far was not blue and white.
The Associated Press meanwhile has word from an unnamed senior Greek official, who says the debris found so far does not belong to flight MS804.The Associated Press meanwhile has word from an unnamed senior Greek official, who says the debris found so far does not belong to flight MS804.
Egypt’s Civil Aviation ministry had said “floating material,” including life jackets and plastic items, were found in the sea off the Greek island of Karpathos, close to the suspected site of the plane crash.Egypt’s Civil Aviation ministry had said “floating material,” including life jackets and plastic items, were found in the sea off the Greek island of Karpathos, close to the suspected site of the plane crash.
The AP also spoke with a former transport official from the US, who said the sparse evidence so far indicates a bomb is more likely than mechanical failure.The AP also spoke with a former transport official from the US, who said the sparse evidence so far indicates a bomb is more likely than mechanical failure.
John Goglia, a former member of the National Transportation Safety Board, said “given the fact that [the pilot] made those abrupt turns without broadcasting any maydays would indicate to me that something catastrophic like a device happened.”John Goglia, a former member of the National Transportation Safety Board, said “given the fact that [the pilot] made those abrupt turns without broadcasting any maydays would indicate to me that something catastrophic like a device happened.”
A mechanical failure “still has to be considered, but at this point I would put that down pretty low,” he added. He likewise says that a structural failure, like a piece of the airplane’s aluminum skin ripping away from metal fatigue, is possible but unlikely.A mechanical failure “still has to be considered, but at this point I would put that down pretty low,” he added. He likewise says that a structural failure, like a piece of the airplane’s aluminum skin ripping away from metal fatigue, is possible but unlikely.
“The recorders will tell us,” he said, referring to the black boxes, the plane’s flight-data and cockpit-voice recorders that are a key part of nearly every crash investigation.“The recorders will tell us,” he said, referring to the black boxes, the plane’s flight-data and cockpit-voice recorders that are a key part of nearly every crash investigation.
Senior Greek air safety official says debris found so far in the Mediterranean Sea does not belong to aircraft. https://t.co/n8O35O7bJ8Senior Greek air safety official says debris found so far in the Mediterranean Sea does not belong to aircraft. https://t.co/n8O35O7bJ8
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SummarySummary
Here’s what we know so far about crashed EgyptAir flight MS804.Here’s what we know so far about crashed EgyptAir flight MS804.
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The US State Department does yet not intend to issue a travel warning to Egypt, spokesman John Kirby has told reporters at a briefing in Washington.The US State Department does yet not intend to issue a travel warning to Egypt, spokesman John Kirby has told reporters at a briefing in Washington.
He says it’s too early to make any decisions with respect to the plane crash, and is “not aware that we recorded, saw, photographed or have possession of any electronic indications about what happened”.He says it’s too early to make any decisions with respect to the plane crash, and is “not aware that we recorded, saw, photographed or have possession of any electronic indications about what happened”.
The Pentagon’s spokesperson, Peter Cook, is giving a simultaneous briefing. “We did not have any ships in the immediate area,” he says, but a navy P3 aircraft is helping with the search and recovery mission. The P3 has been flying for several hours over the region.The Pentagon’s spokesperson, Peter Cook, is giving a simultaneous briefing. “We did not have any ships in the immediate area,” he says, but a navy P3 aircraft is helping with the search and recovery mission. The P3 has been flying for several hours over the region.
Meanwhile, Democratic frontrunner for president Hillary Clinton appears to agree with her Republican rival Donald Trump, about an apparent cause of the plane crash.Meanwhile, Democratic frontrunner for president Hillary Clinton appears to agree with her Republican rival Donald Trump, about an apparent cause of the plane crash.
Clinton to @ChrisCuomo on #EgyptAir: "It does appear that it was an act of terrorism, exactly how the investigation will have to determine."Clinton to @ChrisCuomo on #EgyptAir: "It does appear that it was an act of terrorism, exactly how the investigation will have to determine."
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France’s Accident Investigating Bureau has sent a team of three investigators to Cairo, accompanied by a technical expert from Airbus, the AP reports.France’s Accident Investigating Bureau has sent a team of three investigators to Cairo, accompanied by a technical expert from Airbus, the AP reports.
The BEA said the team was leaving on Thursday night. In a statement, it said “the BEA could notably counsel Egyptian authorities on the organization of an underwater search to locate the plane and the black boxes.”The BEA said the team was leaving on Thursday night. In a statement, it said “the BEA could notably counsel Egyptian authorities on the organization of an underwater search to locate the plane and the black boxes.”
The BEA said it was taking part in the probe as a representative of the country where the plane was conceived. Airbus, based in Toulouse, has said it was sending a technical expert and could send more if needed.The BEA said it was taking part in the probe as a representative of the country where the plane was conceived. Airbus, based in Toulouse, has said it was sending a technical expert and could send more if needed.
Back in the US, White House press secretary Josh Earnest has said he’s still not sure whether France, Greece and Egypt will accept the offer of aid from American teams, and that Barack Obama has not spoken with Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi today.Back in the US, White House press secretary Josh Earnest has said he’s still not sure whether France, Greece and Egypt will accept the offer of aid from American teams, and that Barack Obama has not spoken with Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi today.