Egypt says no proof of terrorism found in Russian Metrojet crash

Egyptian investigators have not yet found any evidence that links terrorism or any other illegal act to the Russian jetliner that crashed in the Sinai Peninsula.

Russian Federation said it had found evidence that a bomb caused the crash.

A group linked to so-called Islamic State, commonly known as ISIS, said it bombed the plane.

Russian Federation suspended all flights to Egypt in the wake of the attack, with the United Kingdom also suspending flights to and from Sharm el-Sheikh.

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.

Egypt’s chief investigator, Ayman al-Muqaddam, said the search for wreckage had extended more than 10 miles (16km) from the main crash site.

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.

Russian Federation and several Western states have said the Metrojet Airbus A321 was likely brought down by a bomb.

Hours following the release of the aviation ministry statement, Moscow rejected the findings, citing the conclusion reached by Russian experts investigating the crash.

“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”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday. “The committee didn’t receive until now any info indicating illegal interference”.

The Russians added that they had found explosive residue as evidence. The Egyptian air force will assist in moving the wreckage to Cairo for further scrutiny.