Egyptian report on Russian plane crash in Sinai: No terrorism indicated

“The fighters of the Islamic State were able to down a Russian plane over Sinai province that was carrying over 220 Russian crusaders”, IS said after the crash, claiming the attack was in retaliation for Russian airstrikes in Syria.

CNN reports the Egyptian Civil Aviation Ministry released a statement in which lead investigator Ayman Al-Muqaddam said his team has discovered nothing indicating “illegitimate interference or an act of terrorism”.

Russian Federation has said an explosive device had been placed onboard the Airbus A321-200 and the Sinai branch of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility.

Russian Federation declined to comment on Egypt’s statement.

Speculation on the cause of the crash began soon after the catastrophe, with global media, politicians and law enforcement agency representatives declaring the plane downing a terrorist act.

But they reversed that stance last month, declaring a homemade bomb with the explosive power of 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of TNT had detonated aboard Flight 9268.

Meanwhile, other Western governments agreed with Russia’s conclusions that it was indeed a terror attack that caused the jetliner to crash.

Russian Federation has offered a $50 million reward for information about those who brought the aircraft down.

But while the latest from Egypt’s investigation contradicts previous statements, the vague wording of the statement made by el-Muqadam indicates more information may be forthcoming.

Nonetheless he said, that although we concluded yesterday the preliminary report on the disaster the investigations are ongoing.

The pilots’ training and medical records and the plane’s condition and maintenance history were among aspects being considered, it said.

While there are opposing views from the two sides, it’s also worth pointing out that European investigators who have analysed the crash, and the recordings from the two black boxes stated that an explosion which surely wasn’t accidental is what managed to bring down the plane.

The St. Petersburg-bound airliner, operated by Metrojet, disintegrated over the northern Sinai Peninsula shortly after taking off from the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh.