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EgyptAir crash: Debris found from flight MS804 | EgyptAir crash: Debris found from flight MS804 |
(35 minutes later) | |
Debris from the missing EgyptAir flight has been found floating in the Mediterranean, Egyptian officials say. | Debris from the missing EgyptAir flight has been found floating in the Mediterranean, Egyptian officials say. |
Flight MS804 was en route from Paris to Cairo with 66 passengers and crew when it vanished early on Thursday. | Flight MS804 was en route from Paris to Cairo with 66 passengers and crew when it vanished early on Thursday. |
Egypt's army spokesman said wreckage and passenger belongings were found 290km (180 miles) from Alexandria. | Egypt's army spokesman said wreckage and passenger belongings were found 290km (180 miles) from Alexandria. |
Greek Defence Minister Panos Kammenos said a body part, two seats and at least one suitcase had been found. | Greek Defence Minister Panos Kammenos said a body part, two seats and at least one suitcase had been found. |
The items were found slightly to the south of the area where the plane disappeared from radars on Thursday, Mr Kammenos said. | The items were found slightly to the south of the area where the plane disappeared from radars on Thursday, Mr Kammenos said. |
The search is now focused on finding the plane's flight recorders, the Associated Press news agency reports. | The search is now focused on finding the plane's flight recorders, the Associated Press news agency reports. |
In a statement, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke of his "utmost sadness and regret" at the crash. | In a statement, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke of his "utmost sadness and regret" at the crash. |
Greek, Egyptian, French and UK military units have been taking part in a search operation near Greece's Karpathos island. | Greek, Egyptian, French and UK military units have been taking part in a search operation near Greece's Karpathos island. |
Greece said radar showed the Airbus A320 had made two sharp turns and dropped more than 25,000ft (7,620m) before plunging into the sea. | Greece said radar showed the Airbus A320 had made two sharp turns and dropped more than 25,000ft (7,620m) before plunging into the sea. |
The focus of the investigation | The focus of the investigation |
Egypt says the plane was more likely to have been brought down by a terrorist act than a technical fault. | Egypt says the plane was more likely to have been brought down by a terrorist act than a technical fault. |
However, there has been "absolutely no indication" so far as to why the plane came down, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on Friday morning. | However, there has been "absolutely no indication" so far as to why the plane came down, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on Friday morning. |
Three investigators from the French air accident investigation bureau, along with a technical adviser from Airbus, have joined the Egyptian inquiry. | Three investigators from the French air accident investigation bureau, along with a technical adviser from Airbus, have joined the Egyptian inquiry. |
In France, the focus is on whether a possible breach of security happened at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. | In France, the focus is on whether a possible breach of security happened at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. |
After last November's Paris attacks, some airport staff had their security clearance revoked over fears of links to Islamic extremists. | After last November's Paris attacks, some airport staff had their security clearance revoked over fears of links to Islamic extremists. |
Eric Moutet, a lawyer for some of those employees, told the BBC that there had been attempts by Islamists to recruit airport staff. | Eric Moutet, a lawyer for some of those employees, told the BBC that there had been attempts by Islamists to recruit airport staff. |
"That is clear. There are people who are being radicalised in some of the trade unions, etc. The authorities have their work cut out with this problem," he said. | "That is clear. There are people who are being radicalised in some of the trade unions, etc. The authorities have their work cut out with this problem," he said. |
In October, an Airbus A321 operated by Russia's Metrojet blew up over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people on board. Sinai Province, a local affiliate of the Islamic State jihadist group, said it had smuggled a bomb on board. | In October, an Airbus A321 operated by Russia's Metrojet blew up over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people on board. Sinai Province, a local affiliate of the Islamic State jihadist group, said it had smuggled a bomb on board. |
French President Francois Hollande said: "We will draw conclusions when we have the truth about what happened. | French President Francois Hollande said: "We will draw conclusions when we have the truth about what happened. |
"Whether it was an accident, or whether it was - and it's something that is on our minds - terrorism." | "Whether it was an accident, or whether it was - and it's something that is on our minds - terrorism." |
What do we know about what happened? | What do we know about what happened? |
Flight MS804 left Paris at 23:09 local time on Wednesday (21:09 GMT) and was scheduled to arrive in the Egyptian capital soon after 03:15 local time (01:15 GMT) on Thursday. | Flight MS804 left Paris at 23:09 local time on Wednesday (21:09 GMT) and was scheduled to arrive in the Egyptian capital soon after 03:15 local time (01:15 GMT) on Thursday. |
On the plane were 56 passengers, seven crew members and three security personnel. | On the plane were 56 passengers, seven crew members and three security personnel. |
Greek aviation officials say air traffic controllers spoke to the pilot when he entered Greek airspace and everything appeared normal. | Greek aviation officials say air traffic controllers spoke to the pilot when he entered Greek airspace and everything appeared normal. |
They tried to contact him again at 02:27 Cairo time, as the plane was set to enter Egyptian airspace, but "despite repeated calls, the aircraft did not respond". Two minutes later it vanished from radar. | They tried to contact him again at 02:27 Cairo time, as the plane was set to enter Egyptian airspace, but "despite repeated calls, the aircraft did not respond". Two minutes later it vanished from radar. |
Mr Kammenos, the Greek defence minister, told reporters on Thursday: "The picture we have at the moment of the accident as it emerges from the Greek air force operations centre is that the aircraft was approximately 10-15 miles inside the Egyptian FIR [flight information region] and at an altitude of 37,000 feet. | Mr Kammenos, the Greek defence minister, told reporters on Thursday: "The picture we have at the moment of the accident as it emerges from the Greek air force operations centre is that the aircraft was approximately 10-15 miles inside the Egyptian FIR [flight information region] and at an altitude of 37,000 feet. |
"It turned 90 degrees left and then a 360-degree turn toward the right, dropping from 37,000 to 15,000 feet and then it was lost at about 10,000 feet." | "It turned 90 degrees left and then a 360-degree turn toward the right, dropping from 37,000 to 15,000 feet and then it was lost at about 10,000 feet." |
Egyptian Aviation Minister Sherif Fathi said: "Let's not try to jump to the side that is trying to identify this as a technical failure - on the contrary. | Egyptian Aviation Minister Sherif Fathi said: "Let's not try to jump to the side that is trying to identify this as a technical failure - on the contrary. |
"If you analyse the situation properly, the possibility of having a different action, or having a terror attack, is higher than the possibility of having a technical [fault]." | "If you analyse the situation properly, the possibility of having a different action, or having a terror attack, is higher than the possibility of having a technical [fault]." |
The BBC's transport correspondent Richard Westcott said much remains uncertain - the fact the plane swerved and dropped height could indicate a fight in the cockpit, or a struggle to control the plane. But each theory presents its own problems, he said. | The BBC's transport correspondent Richard Westcott said much remains uncertain - the fact the plane swerved and dropped height could indicate a fight in the cockpit, or a struggle to control the plane. But each theory presents its own problems, he said. |
Who were the victims? | Who were the victims? |
The names of some of those who were on board have emerged, but most have not been identified publicly. | The names of some of those who were on board have emerged, but most have not been identified publicly. |
Those on board included: | Those on board included: |
Read more on some of the MS804 victims here | Read more on some of the MS804 victims here |
If anyone is concerned about relatives or friends following the disappearance of the flight, they can call this free number provided by EgyptAir: +202 259 89320 | If anyone is concerned about relatives or friends following the disappearance of the flight, they can call this free number provided by EgyptAir: +202 259 89320 |