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Egyptair flight MS804: 'Terrorism more likely than technical failure', says Egypt – live Egyptair flight MS804: 'Terrorism more likely than technical failure', says Egypt – live
(35 minutes later)
2.41pm BST
14:41
Signs of possible wreckage were found off the Greek island of Crete, a Greek military spokesman told AFP.
“There have been finds southeast of Crete, inside the Cairo flight information area,” general staff spokesman Vassilis Beletsiotis said. He added that an Egyptian C-130 plane had spotted the floating objects, and ships would be sent to investigate.
Debris from missing #EgyptAir plane believed to have been found west of #Crete. #Greek officials expressing shock tt so far from crash site
2.33pm BST
14:33
An RAF landing ship has been ordered to help in the search, according to the BBC’s defence correspondent Jonathan Beale. Defence secretary Michael Fallon has also offered to deploy a Hercules aircraft.
RFA Mounts Bay is sailing to help n search of missing #EgyptAir jet. Michael Fallon has also offered @RoyalAirForce Hercules to help
2.27pm BST
14:27
Barack Obama has been briefed on the EgyptAir crash according to the White House.
The briefing was given by Lisa Monaco, adviser for homeland security and counter-terrorism, Reuters reported.
Obama asked to be updated throughout the day and directed administration officials to reach out to their international counterparts to offer support and assistance, deputy White House Press Secretary Eric Schultz said in a statement.
2.22pm BST
14:22
Helena Smith
Greek state-run TV is confirming that debris from the missing EgyptAir plane has been found 230 nautical miles west of the Mediterranean island of Crete, writes Helena Smith.
Officials are expressing alarm and surprise that the wreckage -as yet officially unidentified - has been sited so far away from the site where the Airbus is believed to have come down, more than 100 nautical miles away off the southeastern island of Karpathos.
Winds in the area are southerly and would not precipitate such movement. The debris was identified by an Egyptian C-295 aircraft. Greek media is reporting that the debris could be life jackets.
Earlier Greece’s civil aviation authority issued a statement saying that the pilot of the fated EgyptAir plane was “in good spirits” when the country’s air traffic controllers made contact with crew.
At 02.48 AM, just before MS804 exited Greek airspace. “The pilot was in good spirits and thanked [us] in Greek,” the civil aviation authority said.
At 03:27 despite “repeated” efforts to make contact with crew again, “the pilot did not answer,” the authority added.
“At 03:29 the plane’s signal vanished from the radar approximately 7 nautical miles south/southeast of the point of Kumbi, in Cairo FIR,” the statement said.
Greek sources have told the Guardian that the possibility of a suicide bomber or explosive being the cuase of the crash “is very real.” Greece has mounted a search and rescue operation off the southeastern Aegean island of Karpathos where the Airbus is believed to come down.
2.15pm BST
14:15
In his briefing to reporters Fathy admitted that the Egyptian authorities mistakenly reported that a signal was received two hours after air traffic control lost contact with MS804.
He said: “There was a mistake made by an official somewhere. He talked about a signal and then a few minutes after he came back and apologised, and he came back and said ‘sorry there was no signal’. After his first statement we all went to the press and said the signal was received, thereafter we denied that and we admit there was a mistake that happened.”
1.59pm BST1.59pm BST
13:5913:59
More on that possible find via Reuters: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.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.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 tvMissing #EgyptAir aircraft debris found south of greek island of Karpathos in southern Mediterranean - greek state tv
1.56pm BST1.56pm BST
13:5613:56
Possible debris foundPossible debris found
Reuters reports a possible breakthrough.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.Greek authorities searching for the missing aircraft spot two floating objects in the sea 50 miles south of the island of Karpathos.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.59pm BSTat 1.59pm BST
1.51pm BST1.51pm BST
13:5113:51
‘Terrorism more likely than technical failure’‘Terrorism more likely than technical failure’
Fathy conceded that terrorism was more likely than technical failure to be the cause of the crash .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].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].
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.52pm BSTat 1.52pm BST
1.41pm BST1.41pm BST
13:4113:41
“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.“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.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 BST1.37pm BST
13:3713:37
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”.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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.53pm BSTat 1.53pm BST
1.23pm BST1.23pm BST
13:2313:23
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 BST1.20pm BST
13:2013:20
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 BST1.06pm BST
13:0613:06
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 BST12.57pm BST
12:5712:57
Our map on the flight’s last movements has been updatedOur map on the flight’s last movements has been updated
12.55pm BST
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.
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 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
12:52
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.”
12.48pm BST
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.
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
12:44
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.
12.40pm BST
12:40
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.
12.38pm BST
12:38
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.
Greek officials are hoping satellite footage may help locate the wreckage.
Updated
at 1.46pm BST
12.36pm BST
12:36
That press conference by Egypt civil aviation is about to get underway - later than scheduled.
12.31pm BST
12:31
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
12.28pm BST
12:28
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:
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
at 1.43pm BST
11.57am BST
11:57
Greece issues timeline
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.
02:48: 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.
03:29: 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.
03:45: The processes of search and rescue are initiated, simultaneously informing the Flight Information Region of Cairo.
Updated
at 11.57am BST