Roundup: Russia suspends flights to Egypt amid lingering speculation on cause for jet crash

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday ordered all of his country's flights to Egypt be suspended as speculation rose over possible terrorist attacks on the Russian plane that crashed in the north African nation's Sinai Peninsula last Saturday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, nevertheless, stressed that the decision did not mean Russia believes a terrorist attack to be the cause of the crashed plane, killing all 224 people on board.

"Still, no theory can dominate, as there are no clear indications in favor of this version," Peskov said, adding that only the official investigation could say which of the theories looked most plausible.

Peskov stressed that the decision is made to ensure the safety of Russian passengers, as suggested earlier in the day by Federal Security Service chief Alexander Bortnikov.

"Until the real reasons behind what happened are defined, I think it is appropriate to suspend the flights of Russian aircraft to Egypt, primarily all tourist traffic," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Bortnikov as saying at a security meeting.

He confirmed that all flights from Russia to Egypt were suspended starting Friday until additional safety measures are worked out on aviation connection with Egypt.

While calling for closer cooperation between Russian and Egyptian authorities to guarantee air traffic safety, Putin instructed his government departments to work out implementation mechanisms on flight suspension and repatriation of Russian citizens in Egypt, said Peskov.

Operational headquarters has been set up to work on issues related to the suspension of flights to Egypt. A working group, led by Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, has been formed, with members on it including representatives of the Federal Security Service, Federal Tourism Agency and other relevant institutions.

Dvorkovich said that some 45,000 to 70,000 Russian tourists are currently staying in Egypt, while Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov said that the ministry is ready to send aircraft for repatriation of Russian citizens.

The Russian jet crashed in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula Saturday shortly after taking off from Egypt's Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh en route to St. Petersburg. All 224 people on board, mostly Russian tourists, were killed.

It is still unclear what exactly has caused the crash, however, major international airlines have suspended flights to Sharm el-Sheikh due to reports that a bomb could have been planted on board of the plane.

An Egypt-led investigation group, with experts from Russia, France, is working on the decisive reason of the plane crash.

According to Bortnikov, necessary samples had been taken from all the wreckage of the jet that could carry traces of explosives, and brought to Moscow, the Russian capital, for careful studying.

"This work involves the best, most highly trained specialists, the most modern technical equipment. I can say with the utmost certainty that if there are traces of explosives, they will definitely be found," he said.

As several U.S. media reports cited unnamed sources suggesting that a planted bomb might have caused the crash of the Russian plane, Britain, Ireland, as well as many major international airlines suspended in- and out-bound flights with the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh over terrorism concerns.

Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said Friday that search work on the crash site continued as rescuers have searched an area of 40 square kilometers.

In another development, the Russian Health Ministry said that visual identification concluded of the victims from the Russian A321 passenger jet and genetic identification of the remains would continue. The ministry said Thursday that 58 victims had been identified, while the remaining victims will have to be identified by their DNA.

Three aircraft of the Emergency Situations Ministry have arrived at Russia's St. Petersburg carrying victim remains, personal belongings and other evidences. Endit