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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)
4.05pm BST
16:05
Our correspondent in Paris Kim Wilsher says the EgyptAir flight from Paris to Cairo is departing now. Families of the passengers on the missing plane are believed to be onboard this flight.
4.01pm BST
16:01
The US Navy says it has dispatched a P-3 Orion long-range aircraft to support the search for an EgyptAir plane. President Obama was briefed earlier on the crash by counter-terror advisors.
“US Commander Sixth Fleet is working with the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Greece and the US Defence Attache in Athens, Greece to provide US Navy P-3 Orion support in the search of the missing Egyptian aircraft,” the US navy said in a statement.
The surveillance plane had been sent from the naval air station Sigonella in Sicily.
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Some more details are emerging about the passengers who were on the plane, among them a young military student from Chad who was flying home to visit his mother.Some more details are emerging about the passengers who were on the plane, among them a young military student from Chad who was flying home to visit his mother.
The protocol officer for Chad’s embassy in Paris, Muhammed Allamine, the protocol officer for the Chad embassy in Paris said the man, who has not been named, was a student at France’s Saint-Cyr military academy. The protocol officer for Chad’s embassy in Paris, Muhammed Allamine, said the passenger was a student at France’s Saint-Cyr military academy. The man has not been named.
He said the man “was going to give condolences to his family,” according to AFP.He said the man “was going to give condolences to his family,” according to AFP.
One of the 30 Egyptians onboard was a man returning from medical treatment in France, according to two friends who came to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, telling AP they were heart-broken.One of the 30 Egyptians onboard was a man returning from medical treatment in France, according to two friends who came to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, telling AP they were heart-broken.
Kuwait’s foreign ministry has also confirmed one of its citizens, Abdulmohsen al-Muteiri, was on board the plane. His nephew spoke to the Guardian at Cairo airport earlier, saying he was a professor of economics and a father of two, who was excited to be heading to Cairo for a three-day conference.Kuwait’s foreign ministry has also confirmed one of its citizens, Abdulmohsen al-Muteiri, was on board the plane. His nephew spoke to the Guardian at Cairo airport earlier, saying he was a professor of economics and a father of two, who was excited to be heading to Cairo for a three-day conference.
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at 3.47pm BST at 4.10pm BST
3.32pm BST3.32pm BST
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A Greek military official has said an Egyptian search plane located two orange objects believed to be from the missing flight, AP reports.A Greek military official has said an Egyptian search plane located two orange objects believed to be from the missing flight, AP reports.
The official says the items were found 230 miles south-southeast of the island of Crete but still within the Egyptian air traffic control area.The official says the items were found 230 miles south-southeast of the island of Crete but still within the Egyptian air traffic control area.
One of the items was oblong, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with regulations.One of the items was oblong, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with regulations.
3.29pm BST3.29pm BST
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The head of Russia’s domestic intelligence agency has said he believes the plane was brought down by a terror attack “in all likelihood”.The head of Russia’s domestic intelligence agency has said he believes the plane was brought down by a terror attack “in all likelihood”.
Alexander Bortnikov, head of the Federal Security Service, called for governments to come together to track down those responsible for the “monstrous attack.”Alexander Bortnikov, head of the Federal Security Service, called for governments to come together to track down those responsible for the “monstrous attack.”
3.17pm BST3.17pm BST
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The first EgyptAir flight from Paris since the crash has departed now, though to be carrying families of passengers, according to AP’s Raphael Satter. The first EgyptAir flight from Paris since the crash is boarding now, though to be carrying families of passengers, according to AP’s Raphael Satter.
MS800 - 1st #EgyptAir flight from Paris since crash - is boarding. Passenger's families are thought to be aboard. pic.twitter.com/ClAJWO69zSMS800 - 1st #EgyptAir flight from Paris since crash - is boarding. Passenger's families are thought to be aboard. pic.twitter.com/ClAJWO69zS
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3.16pm BST3.16pm BST
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British pilot Alan Carter has told the BBC he was flying a B 747 in same airspace at almost exactly the same time that the EgyptAir plane went down.British pilot Alan Carter has told the BBC he was flying a B 747 in same airspace at almost exactly the same time that the EgyptAir plane went down.
He called the conditions “perfect” and said there had been no issues with lines of communications.He called the conditions “perfect” and said there had been no issues with lines of communications.
All air traffic communications were operating normal. I spoke to Athens radar and remarked how quiet it was, and they told me there were only five planes in the area.All air traffic communications were operating normal. I spoke to Athens radar and remarked how quiet it was, and they told me there were only five planes in the area.
3.13pm BST3.13pm BST
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A meeting hosted by Italy’s prime minister of Europe’s left-wing political leaders, including French President Francois Hollande, has been cancelled following the EgyptAir crash.A meeting hosted by Italy’s prime minister of Europe’s left-wing political leaders, including French President Francois Hollande, has been cancelled following the EgyptAir crash.
The meeting had been due to discuss the refugee crisis and the forthcoming UK referendum on EU membership. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven had all been due to attend, Reuters reports.The meeting had been due to discuss the refugee crisis and the forthcoming UK referendum on EU membership. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven had all been due to attend, Reuters reports.
3.06pm BST3.06pm BST
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Rukmini Callimachi, the New York Times journalist who focuses on Islamic State, says there is no claim of responsibility as yet or anything to indicate that IS terrorism is to blame for the plane’s disappearance.Rukmini Callimachi, the New York Times journalist who focuses on Islamic State, says there is no claim of responsibility as yet or anything to indicate that IS terrorism is to blame for the plane’s disappearance.
Morning everyone. Just checked the main ISIS Telegram channels I am following & there's no claim of responsibility as yet regarding EgyptAirMorning everyone. Just checked the main ISIS Telegram channels I am following & there's no claim of responsibility as yet regarding EgyptAir
It’s worth noting that IS claimed responsibility for the downing of Metrojet Flight 9268 over the Sinai on October 31 by that afternoon.It’s worth noting that IS claimed responsibility for the downing of Metrojet Flight 9268 over the Sinai on October 31 by that afternoon.
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at 3.22pm BSTat 3.22pm BST
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Outside Cairo airport terminal, families are slowly leaving, distraught and frustrated by the lack of information, writes Lara El Gibaly.Outside Cairo airport terminal, families are slowly leaving, distraught and frustrated by the lack of information, writes Lara El Gibaly.
“They haven’t said anything to us. We have no information,” said Mervat Mounir, whose relative Samar Ezzeldin was one of the seven Egyptian cabin crew on board. The 27-year-old had been a flight attendant with EgyptAir for two years and recently got married.“They haven’t said anything to us. We have no information,” said Mervat Mounir, whose relative Samar Ezzeldin was one of the seven Egyptian cabin crew on board. The 27-year-old had been a flight attendant with EgyptAir for two years and recently got married.
Michery el Soheil came to the airport hoping for news of his uncle Abdelmohsen Soheil, a Kuwaiti professor of economics and a father of two, who was heading to Cairo for a three-day conference.Michery el Soheil came to the airport hoping for news of his uncle Abdelmohsen Soheil, a Kuwaiti professor of economics and a father of two, who was heading to Cairo for a three-day conference.
“We had called him just before he boarded and everything was fine, he was excited to be coming to Cairo,” said Michery.“We had called him just before he boarded and everything was fine, he was excited to be coming to Cairo,” said Michery.
Describing the situation in the relatives’ waiting hall, he said: “Everyone inside is waiting for any bit of information, we feel powerless. But we are praying for their souls. If anyone was alive, they would have found them by now.”Describing the situation in the relatives’ waiting hall, he said: “Everyone inside is waiting for any bit of information, we feel powerless. But we are praying for their souls. If anyone was alive, they would have found them by now.”
Security personnel outside the hall say fewer than a dozen families remain inside. Many of those who have left have gone to the nearby Le Passage hotel, where EgyptAir is offering the families accommodation.Security personnel outside the hall say fewer than a dozen families remain inside. Many of those who have left have gone to the nearby Le Passage hotel, where EgyptAir is offering the families accommodation.
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at 3.12pm BSTat 3.12pm BST
2.54pm BST2.54pm BST
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Here’s what we know so far about missing EgyptAir flight MS804.Here’s what we know so far about missing EgyptAir flight MS804.
2.41pm BST2.41pm BST
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Signs of possible wreckage were found off the Greek island of Crete, a Greek military spokesman told AFP.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.“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 siteDebris from missing #EgyptAir plane believed to have been found west of #Crete. #Greek officials expressing shock tt so far from crash site
2.33pm BST2.33pm BST
14:3314:33
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.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 helpRFA Mounts Bay is sailing to help n search of missing #EgyptAir jet. Michael Fallon has also offered @RoyalAirForce Hercules to help
2.27pm BST2.27pm BST
14:2714:27
Barack Obama has been briefed on the EgyptAir crash according to the White House.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.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.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 BST2.22pm BST
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Helena SmithHelena 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.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.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.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.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 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 03:27 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.“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.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.