Egypt admits for the first time that Russian plane crashed in Sinai due to terrorism

The Egyptian president admitted on February 24 that terrorists were responsible for the crash of a Russian A321 plane in the Sinai Peninsula last October.

"Is terrorism over? Not really, but it will happen if we unite. Whoever brought down the Russian plane, what do they want? They want to attack tourism and affect our relations with Russia," Reuters quoted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as saying in a televised speech.

The tail of the Russian plane that crashed on the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Photo: Reuters

Mr. al-Sisi's comments mark the first time Egypt has publicly acknowledged that terrorists were responsible for the crash of the Russian Kogalymavia (Metrojet) A321 over the Sinai Peninsula on October 31, 2015, killing all 224 people on board. This means that Egypt is also responsible for paying compensation to the families of the victims.

Egypt's Civil Aviation Ministry said last December that evidence found in the incident had no connection to terrorism or illegal activity.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities confirmed that the plane was destroyed by a bomb on board. The Islamic State (IS) also released evidence that the group used a homemade bomb made from a soda can to blow up the plane while it was on its way from Sharm el-Sheikh, a popular Egyptian resort, to St. Petersburg, Russia.

Egypt has been battling a two-year Islamist insurgency in the Sinai region that has killed hundreds of soldiers and police. IS said the bombing was revenge for Russia's air campaign in Syria.

According to VNE