No sign yet of ‘terrorist act’ in Russian plane crash, Egyptian official says
Egyptian officials on Nov. 1 approach wreckage of a Russian passenger jet that crashed near Hassana, Egypt.
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Reporting from Cairo — A preliminary investigation into the crash of a Russian passenger plane has found no indication yet of any “illegal or terrorist act,” Egypt’s chief investigator said in a report released Monday.
The vaguely worded statement released by Ayman el-Muqadam said an investigation committee so far has not found “any evidence” indicating foul play in the Oct. 31 downing of the plane, which killed all 224 people aboard, mostly Russian vacationers. The committee is “continuing its work,” it said.
Russia has said an explosive device had been placed aboard the Airbus A321-200, and the Sinai branch of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility. The crash led Russia to suspend all flights to and from Egypt, dealing a heavy blow to the country’s vital tourism industry.
EL-Muqadam said the investigating committee completed its preliminary report Sunday evening, and that it contained all available information, which will be further investigated.
He said the search for wreckage extended more than 10 miles from the main crash site and that the committee provided all parties that are part of the investigation, including the insurance company and Russian working teams, the chance to examine the wreckage.
The investigators analyzed the plane’s 38 computers and two engine computers and is currently checking the technical details of the plane and repairs carried out since it was manufactured in May 1977, he said.
El-Muqadam said the investigation committee made 15 visits to the crash site, and that the team was coordinating with the air force to move the wreckage to a safe location in Cairo for further study.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment directly on the Egyptian statement, but told reporters in a conference call, “I can remind you of the conclusion of our experts from the special services, who came to the conclusion that it was a terrorist action.”
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