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Russia Metro Jet Airbus 321 crash

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Russia Metro Jet Airbus 321 crash

By Editor

On October 31, a Russian Metrojet Airbus A321 crashed over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula shortly after takeoff from Sharm el-Sheikh. The plane was en route to St. Petersburg, carrying mostly Russian tourists returning from holiday.

  All 224 passengers and crew died in the crash. No one survived. Conflicting reports have made the cause of the disaster unclear.   Officials haven’t confirmed what caused the explosion. Russia and Egypt, the two countries most affected, have released different accounts. Political pressure may influence how each country presents the facts.   Investigators later confirmed the passengers included 214 Russians, 3 Ukrainians, and 7 crew members.   Egypt’s top prosecutor launched a formal investigation. A committee with members from Egypt, Ireland, Germany, and Russia began work. A separate technical team joined, bringing the total number of investigators to 80.   The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility in a video, praising its fighters in Sinai for downing the jet. Russia and Egypt dismissed the claim, stating their findings didn’t support that theory.   Despite this, many believe an onboard explosion caused the crash. The UK supported this theory after satellite footage showed a sudden flash over Sinai when the plane went down.   An Egyptian air traffic official reported no distress call. The pilot had requested an emergency landing in Cairo due to technical issues. Russian aviation officials added that the pilot reported radio problems shortly before the plane vanished from radar.   Egyptian doctors said the bodies were severely burned. However, forensic teams found no bomb traces in the victims.   A British tourist who had flown into Egypt days earlier described weak airport security. She believed a bomb might have been smuggled onto the plane. In contrast, North Sinai security officials blamed an unresolved technical fault.   The UK, alarmed by the uncertainty, evacuated its citizens from Egypt. US intelligence reportedly intercepted chatter about a planned terrorist attack days before the crash, aligning with the UK’s concerns about a “big event” by jihadist groups.   Why the Confusion?   Analysts believe Egypt and Russia may be hiding the truth. For Egypt, acknowledging an IS presence in Sinai would devastate its tourism industry, a major part of the economy. Fewer tourists and investors would worsen Egypt’s financial situation and political stability.   Russia faces its own dilemma. If IS successfully targeted a Russian plane, it could be seen as retaliation for Russia’s military action in Syria. This could make other Russian flights targets as well.   So, who will tell the truth about what really brought down Metrojet Flight 9268?          

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