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

Findings of preliminary Egyptian investigation contradict Russian claim that plane was brought down by a bomb.

By REUTERS
Updated: DECEMBER 14, 2015 13:50
Egypt's Prime Minister Sherif Ismail (4rth R) listen to Egyptian team from police and army at the remines of a plane crash at the desert in central Sinai near El Arish city north of Egypt, October 31, 2015. The Russian airliner carrying 224 passengers crashed into a mountainous area of Egypt's Sinai (photo credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)
Egypt's Prime Minister Sherif Ismail (4rth R) listen to Egyptian team from police and army at the remines of a plane crash at the desert in central Sinai near El Arish city north of Egypt, October 31, 2015. The Russian airliner carrying 224 passengers crashed into a mountainous area of Egypt's Sinai
(photo credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)
CAIRO - Egypt has completed a preliminary report on the Russian plane crash in Sinai on October 31 that killed all 224 people on board, the civil aviation ministry said on Monday.
"The technical investigative committee has so far not found anything indicating any illegal intervention or terrorist action," the ministry said in a statement.
Russia said the plane was brought down by a bomb, and Islamic State claimed responsibility.
In mid-November, Islamic State's official magazine carried a photo of a Schweppes soft drink can it said was used to make an improvised bomb that brought down the Russian airliner.
The photo showed a can of Schweppes Gold soft drink and what appeared to be a detonator and switch on a blue background, three simple components that if genuine are likely to cause concern for airline safety officials worldwide.
"The divided Crusaders of the East and West thought themselves safe in their jets as they cowardly bombarded the Muslims of the Caliphate," the English language Dabiq magazine said in reference to Russia and the West. "And so revenge was exacted upon those who felt safe in the cockpits."
Western governments have said the Airbus A321 operated by Metrojet was likely brought down by a bomb and Moscow confirmed on Tuesday it had reached the same conclusion, but at the time the Egyptian government said it has still not found evidence of criminal action.
Explosives experts said it was feasible the device shown in the photo could bring down a plane, depending on where it was located and the density of explosives in the soft drink can. The most vulnerable locations include the fuel line, the cockpit or anywhere close to the fuselage skin.