Russian plane crashes at Egypt's Sinai peninsula, killing all passengers on board

According to Egyptian medical sources, a Russian passenger plane with 244 passengers, that crashed in Egypt's Sinai peninsula, are all dead. The source, also disclosed that search and rescue team, are still gathering remains of the the victims after the crash which occurred on Saturday.

 The plane was heading to St Petersburg, likely carrying tourists who were returning from holidays in Egypt's popular Sharm el- Sheikh resort.

In a statement, Egypt's civil aviation ministry said the wreckage of the Russian passenger jet was found in the Hassana area, south of the city of el-Arish. It said the plane, a Metrojet Airbus A321 - took off from the Sinai Peninsula's Sharm el-Sheikh, a popular destination for Russian tourists, and disappeared from radar screens 23 minutes after takeoff.

Among the passengers were 214 Russians and three Ukrainians, plus seven crew members, the Egyptian government said. At least 24 children were on board, the Association of Travel Operators of Russia said. 

 Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a day of national mourning. Many bodies had already been found, said Mahmoud al-Zanati, head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority. 

"The search operation is still going on at the site of the accident. The wreckage is spread across a vast area," he added, according to state-run newspaper.

Source: Ajazeera