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Sinai plane crash: Russia suspends Egypt flights Sinai plane crash: Russia suspends Egypt flights
(35 minutes later)
Russia has ordered the suspension of all flights to Egypt following indications that the crash near Sharm el-Sheikh was caused by a bomb.Russia has ordered the suspension of all flights to Egypt following indications that the crash near Sharm el-Sheikh was caused by a bomb.
President Vladimir Putin made the announcement after UK investigators said they believed a bomb was put in the plane's hold prior to take-off, killing all 224 people on board.President Vladimir Putin made the announcement after UK investigators said they believed a bomb was put in the plane's hold prior to take-off, killing all 224 people on board.
The UK has suspended flights to Sharm el-Sheikh and is bringing Britons home.The UK has suspended flights to Sharm el-Sheikh and is bringing Britons home.
Militants linked to the Islamic State group (IS) say they downed the plane.Militants linked to the Islamic State group (IS) say they downed the plane.
The Metrojet Airbus A321 was flying from Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg when it came down in Sinai on Saturday. Most of the victims were Russian.The Metrojet Airbus A321 was flying from Sharm el-Sheikh to St Petersburg when it came down in Sinai on Saturday. Most of the victims were Russian.
Militants from the Sinai Province group, linked to IS, have not said how they destroyed the plane. IS has called for a war against both Russia and the US over their air strikes in Syria.
UK officials said they had received intelligence based on intercepted communications between militants in the Sinai Peninsula, indicating an explosive device may have been put inside or on top of the luggage just before the plane took off.
Analysis: Steven Rosenberg, BBC News, Moscow
The Kremlin's decision to suspend flights is bad news all around. First, for the Egyptian tourism industry. Egypt is one of the most popular destinations for Russian holidaymakers: more than two million have visited this year.
It's bad news for Russians currently in Egypt, and for those planning their annual holiday there.
And it's not good news for the Kremlin. Mr Putin's decision "doesn't mean that terror attack is now the main version", his spokesman said. But it is the strongest indication yet that Moscow now believes a bomb may well have destroyed flight 9268. If it did, and it was linked to Russian airstrikes in Syria, that could damage Russian public support for Moscow's military intervention.
After all, domestically, the Kremlin had sold its military operation in Syria as a pre-emptive strike - as a way of destroying terrorists abroad before they attack Russians at home.
Could Islamic State have bombed Flight 9268?Could Islamic State have bombed Flight 9268?
Metrojet crash: Key factsMetrojet crash: Key facts
How has airport security changed?How has airport security changed?
Militants from the Sinai Province group, linked to IS, have not said how they destroyed the plane. IS has called for a war against both Russia and the US over their air strikes in Syria. Experts in Moscow are investigating pieces of debris from the crash site, Russian officials say.
UK officials said they had received intelligence based on intercepted communications between militants in the Sinai Peninsula, indicating a bomb caused the crash. Russia is also working to repatriate as many as 45,000 Russian holidaymakers currently in Egypt - and an official said it could take up to a month to bring them home.
However, both Egypt and Russia earlier insisted it was too early to draw conclusions. The UK estimates that 19,000 of its nationals remain stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Delays explained Since Wednesday, several countries have joined Britain in restricting travel to Sharm el-Sheikh. They include Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
Russian experts in Moscow are investigating pieces of debris from the crash site, officials say. Tourism contributed more than 12% to Egypt's economy in 2013 and the latest measures will hit it hard, analysts say. One in five foreign tourists in Egypt is Russian.
Mr Putin's decision to suspend Russian flights to Egypt came after after a recommendation by the head of Russia's FSB security service during a crisis meeting in Moscow.
The Russian leader "has instructed the government to work out mechanisms to... ensure Russian citizens return home," his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"The president also issued an instruction to establish co-operation with the Egyptian side to ensure air traffic safety," Mr Peskov said.
Later, he added that Mr Putin's decision "doesn't mean that terror attack is now the main version".
Russia says as many as 45,000 Russian holidaymakers are in currently in Egypt. The UK estimates that 19,000 of its nationals remain stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Many Britons were due to return on Friday but one of the main airlines operating from the resort, Easyjet, says its plans have been sharply curtailed by the Egyptian authorities, with only two of its 10 flights leaving.
Egyptian Aviation Minister Hossam Kamal denied banning any flights, but said there was an issue of "capacity" at the airport, with extra security and more planes than usual.
Egypt is leading the investigation into the air disaster, with the help of Russian and other foreign experts.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says that although British officials have not ruled out a technical fault, they think that is increasingly unlikely.
New intelligence was received on Wednesday. The UK government's Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) has spent the past few days assessing what brought the plane down.
Security service investigators suspect someone with access to the aircraft's baggage compartment inserted an explosive device inside or on top of the luggage just before the plane took off.
Sinai Province militantsSinai Province militants
Sinai Province: Egypt's most dangerous militant groupSinai Province: Egypt's most dangerous militant group
Since Wednesday, several countries have joined Britain in restricting travel to Sharm el-Sheikh. That includes Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
Tourism contributed more than 12% to Egypt's economy in 2013 and the latest measures will hit it hard, analysts say. One in five foreign tourists in Egypt is Russian.
Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who has been on a visit to the UK, told reporters that security at the airport was tightened 10 months ago at the UK's request.
Are you in Sharm el-Sheikh? Are you flying back to the UK? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Sharm el-Sheikh? Are you flying back to the UK? If you have any information to share with the BBC, you can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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