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Egyptair flight MS804: 'Terrorism more likely than technical failure', says Egypt – live EgyptAir flight MS804: airliner confirms it has found wreckage near Greece – live
(35 minutes later)
6.01pm BST
18:01
Egypt 'confirms finding the wreckage'
EgyptAir has said that Cairo’s foreign ministry has “confirmed finding the wreckage” in an English statement on Facebook.
EgyptAir resource stated that the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation has just received an official letter from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that confirms the finding of wreckage of the missing aircraft No. MS 804 near Karpathos Island.
EgyptAir sincerely conveys its deepest sorrow to the families and friends of the passengers onboard Flight MS804. Family members of passengers and crew have been already informed and we extend our deepest sympathies to those affected.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Investigation Team in co-operation with the Greek counterpart are still searching for other remains of the missing plane.
In a series of tweets the airliner said that investigators found floating materials likely to be wreckage, life jackets and plastic debris.
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EgyptAir has tweeted search teams near the island of Karpathos have found apparent airplane parts, including floating materials likely to be wreckage, life jackets and plastic materials.
The wording from the airliner’s Twitter account is cautious, but complements reports on debris from Reuters and CNN
يفيد العثور على مواد طافية يرجح انها لحطام الطائرة وكذلك علي بعض سترات النجاة ومواد بلاستيكية
Egypt’s envoy to France has said that Greek authorities have told the Egyptian embassy in Athens that they’ve found “blue and white debris”, Reuters reports.
Nearly simultaneously, CNN reports that the vice-president of EgyptAir has told one of its correspondents: “we have found the wreckage.”
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Earnest clarifies that there are enhanced security screenings for “international aircraft that are bound for the United States,” and that because the EgyptAir flight was bound from Paris to Cairo it wasn’t subject to these extra measures.
He says he doesn’t have any details at the moment on “how those advanced security measures have disrupted plots but we do believe that applying that expertise from the TSA … even at foreign airports does enhance the safety and security of Americans traveling abroad.”
He also clarifies his comment about Paris’ Charles De Gaulle Airport: “I can’t offer a security assessment of any airport around the world … there’s no specific concern that’s been raised that I’m aware of.”
A US navy aircraft is helping with the search for debris, he says. In 2015, he adds, TSA specialists “performed 289 air carrier inspections and 146 foreign airport assessments”. The security officers also deploy canine teams.
5.34pm BST5.34pm BST
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The White House has offered assistance to European and Middle East allies, saying that the Department of Homeland Security and TSA have been in contact with foreign ministries and aviation departments to help improve security measures.The White House has offered assistance to European and Middle East allies, saying that the Department of Homeland Security and TSA have been in contact with foreign ministries and aviation departments to help improve security measures.
Press secretary Josh Earnest says though that it’s too early to say what could have caused the EgyptAir crash. “We have seen a desire on the part of extremists around the world, including some extremists in the Middle East, to carry out attacks targeting the international aviation system. We obviously are mindful of that.”Press secretary Josh Earnest says though that it’s too early to say what could have caused the EgyptAir crash. “We have seen a desire on the part of extremists around the world, including some extremists in the Middle East, to carry out attacks targeting the international aviation system. We obviously are mindful of that.”
But says there are no particular concerns about the Paris airport as a specific case. “We’ve obviously learned a lot since 9/11 about what’s necessary to protect the aviation system but that has not diminished the desire of some extremist organizations to try to carry out attacks.”But says there are no particular concerns about the Paris airport as a specific case. “We’ve obviously learned a lot since 9/11 about what’s necessary to protect the aviation system but that has not diminished the desire of some extremist organizations to try to carry out attacks.”
Earnest adds that the US is “constantly adapting” security measures, and also offers condolences to the families of passengers and crew on the flight.Earnest adds that the US is “constantly adapting” security measures, and also offers condolences to the families of passengers and crew on the flight.
He says that he’s not aware of “any intelligence assessment that’s ruled anything out” nor any that’s “ruled anything in”. “It’s still quite early.”He says that he’s not aware of “any intelligence assessment that’s ruled anything out” nor any that’s “ruled anything in”. “It’s still quite early.”
Earlier on Thursday, US secretary of state John Kerry has declined to “speculate” on any possible cause of the flight’s disappearance, telling reporters in Brussels that he does not think even the experts have enough evidence to start developing an idea of what happened.Earlier on Thursday, US secretary of state John Kerry has declined to “speculate” on any possible cause of the flight’s disappearance, telling reporters in Brussels that he does not think even the experts have enough evidence to start developing an idea of what happened.
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EgyptAir says it still has no confirmation that debris has been found off the coast of Crete.EgyptAir says it still has no confirmation that debris has been found off the coast of Crete.
EGYPTAIR has contacted the concerned authorities which did not confirm this information. /2EGYPTAIR has contacted the concerned authorities which did not confirm this information. /2
Greek defence sources have told multiple news agencies that two large plastic floating objects have been found in the sea 230 nautical miles from Crete.Greek defence sources have told multiple news agencies that two large plastic floating objects have been found in the sea 230 nautical miles from Crete.
“There have been finds southeast of Crete, inside the Cairo flight information area,” Greek general staff spokesman Vassilis Beletsiotis said earlier.“There have been finds southeast of Crete, inside the Cairo flight information area,” Greek general staff spokesman Vassilis Beletsiotis said earlier.
Tarek Wahba, the captain of the Maersk Ahram, a ship involved in the search and rescue operation, has posted some pictures on his Facebook account showing debris floating in the sea, which he describes as a “lifejacket and a chair.Tarek Wahba, the captain of the Maersk Ahram, a ship involved in the search and rescue operation, has posted some pictures on his Facebook account showing debris floating in the sea, which he describes as a “lifejacket and a chair.
We have no confirmation if the debris has anything to do with flight MS804 or where it was found.We have no confirmation if the debris has anything to do with flight MS804 or where it was found.
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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. Our correspondent in Paris Kim Willsher 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.
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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.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.“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.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, said the passenger was a student at France’s Saint-Cyr military academy. The man has not been named.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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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 BST
15:17
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/ClAJWO69zS
Updated
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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.
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.
3.13pm BST
15:13
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.
3.06pm BST
15:06
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 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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14:54
Here’s what we know so far about missing EgyptAir flight MS804.
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.