.Russian jet crashed in Egypt on Saturday killing all 224 people on board
- .UK and US have both said crash probably caused by ISIS bomb
- .Britain grounds all flights to and from Sharm and 20,000 are stranded
- .Tourists stuck in resort complain they have no idea when they'll get home
- .Planes being sent from UK and will take ten days to bring all Britons home
- .British security sent to scan bags and guard UK planes before takeoff
- .Are you stuck in Egypt? Has your holiday been cancelled? call 0203 6151866 or email: martin.robinson@mailonline.co.uk or simon.tomlinson@mailonline.co.uk
Stranded tourists among the 20,000 Britons now stuck in Sharm el-Sheikh for up to ten days have today described the chaos at the airport as they tried to get home.
All British flights to and from Sharm el-Sheikh have been cancelled indefinitely after David Cameron said an ISIS bomb probably downed a Russian jet on Saturday killing 224 people.
The ban means 20,000 British tourists in the Red Sea resort must return to the airport when their holiday ends and put on buses to hotels as they wait for a rescue flight home.
Student Amy Bond, 17, and friend Naomi Eade, 19, were put on a bus back to the resort from the airport today and Miss Bond said: 'We have no idea when we will get home. It would be nice to know'.
Joe Walker, 53, has been in Egypt for eight days with wife Veronica, 53, said after being told there was not flight they asked to back to their hotel but were sent elsewhere because 'it's too expensive'.
Empty planes are being sent from Britain and will start flying stranded tourists back to the UK tomorrow in a process likely to last up to ten days - with a flight ban likely to last until Christmas.
But flights to Russia from the Egyptian holiday resort continued as normal today - despite apparently suffering the worst airline terror attack in its history and a British ban.
Stuck: British tourists stranded in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheik are taken from the airport to hotels to wait for news of when they can return home
Cancelled: All British flights to and from the Red Sea resort have been called off indefinitely leaving holidaymakers expecting a wait of up to ten days to get back to Britain
Desperate: Amy Bond, 17, and Naomi Eade, 19, from Yeovil admit they have np idea when they'll go hoime while Jorden Briggs and Gareth Millward from Middlesborough are desperate to get back to their eigh-month-old baby who is with family so they can have a break
Help: Tourist company staff speak to tourists about their option but flights back to Britain will start again tomorrow at the earliest
Holidaymakers due to fly home today were told at their hotels to go to the airport as normal in time for their flight an await instructions.
Monarch is to operate three "rescue flights" and two scheduled flights from Sharm to the UK tomorrow. The company said it has 3,000 customers in the resort.
All Monarch flights from the UK to Sharm up to November 12 have been cancelled while other operators including Thomson and easyJet have also grounded flights.
But there were scenes of chaos and confusion when they arrived and the tourists were eventually told they would be put up for the night but then faced a long wait for transfers and shuttle buses to get to the accommodation.
Britons caught up in the chaos criticised the lack of information available. The British embassy and tour operator Thomson had sent representatives to the airport, but holidaymakers said they could not give them any timescale as to when they might be able to go home and accused officials of keeping them in the dark.
Many said they had no idea there had even been a plane crash until last night, when friends in the UK called and texted.
They accused the Egyptians of ‘down playing’ the situation. They also criticised lax security when they arrived at the resort. But praised the British government’s decision to suspend flights amid safety concerns.
Friends Sandra McColl, 47; Christina Marietta, 60; and Evelyn Weir, 50, from Glasgow have been in the resort a week and were due to fly out today.
‘We were just told to come to the airport as usual,’ Mrs McColl, an officer worker, said.
Mrs Weir, a credit controller, said: ‘It is quite scary. We are not sure what is going on and Thompson don’t seem to know either.
'We have been told we will be taken to another hotel for tonight but then we have no idea after that how long we will be here. I suppose it is not the worst place in the world to be but the lack of information is frustrating.’
Mrs McColl added: ‘The plane crash was very low key here. Friends back home told us about it, no one at the hotel informed us.'
Joe Walker, 53, a recruitment manager, and wife Veronica, 53, a midwife, have been in the resort for eight days on a Thomson package holiday.
Mr Walker said: ‘We have been told we are not going home today. We are being taken to another hotel apparently, Thomson said we could not stay in the same one as it was too expensive.
'The plane crash was very low key. We noticed a bit more security around the hotel afterwards – there were too guys on the roof and more security guards patrolling the hotel.
'But we don’t really know what is going on, everything we know is what we have been reading on the news.’
Mrs Walker said: ‘We have had a lovely time, but I am not sure we would come back now. The security at the airport when we arrived was non-existent. They never checked our bags on the way in. It is very different to the security back home. It is frustrating but safety rightly has to come first.’
Their friend, Charlene McCarthy, 35, also from Glasgow, said: ‘I would rather be stuck here though than unsafe.’
Teenagers Amy Bond, 17, a college student, and Naomi Eade, 19, a shop worker, from Yeovil, were also due to fly home today.
They flew out of Sharm El-Sheikh on Tuesday to go on a day trip to Cairo, which is an hour away by plane. But are now wondering how and when they will get back to the UK.
She said: ‘My dad called up and booked us four extra night at the hotel but then they said to come to the airport and let the tour operator sort it out, so he will have to try to get his money back now. We have no idea when we will get home.
'We love it here, we have had a great time, but it would be nice to know when we might be leaving.’
Queues: Disgruntled tourists said they were unhappy about the chaos at the airport but admitted they were happy to be safe
Family: A mother and daughter with matching Union Flag suitcases get on to a bus from the airport back to the resort
Stranded: Sandra McColl, Evelyn Weir, and Christina Marietta have been told they will not be going back to Glasgow tonight
Sarah Cotterill says British consular staff were nowhere to be seen when she was sent back to her hotel as she queued for a flight last night and said: 'We've not seen or heard from anybody since'.
British officials and security equipment will be sent to Sharm to screen every bag and guard planes because it is feared the bomb was smuggled through security or planted by airport staff.
David Cameron has said it is 'more likely than not' that a Russian airliner was downed by a terrorist bomb.
The Prime Minister said he had 'every sympathy' with Cairo's anger over the impact on its tourist industry but that the move was 'about putting the safety of British people first'.
Speaking after chairing a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency committee, Mr Cameron said he would discuss the situation with Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi who is due at Number 10 shortly.
Mr Cameron is also due to talk with Russian president Vladimir Putin by phone about the latest developments.
'The decisions that I am taking are about putting the safety of British people first,' Mr Cameron said. 'That is why we have suspended flights to Sharm el-Sheikh and that is why it is going to take some time before we can fly people out.
'What we need to put in place is more security at that airport so it is safe to fly people home.'
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Britons who have booked holidays up until Christmas are likely to have them cancelled until they work out how the bomb was planted and airport security is improved.
Asked if he might conclude that normal flights could never resume to Sharm, he admitted: 'It's a possibility'.
Delays: Despite the apparent terror attack flights to Russia are among the few international services leaving Sharm el-Sheik today as passengers queue for security (pictured)
Paul Modley, pictured with friend Kerry Beale and partner Tom Griffith, is stuck in Sharm el-Sheik but fears the Government's decision to end flights will destroy tourism in the area
Couple: Andrew Weir, 25, from Northampton, flew out to Sharm with his girlfriend Chloe Glanville, 24, where they got engaged - they are due to fly back to Luton tomorrow with easyJet but now expect to be made to wait
Terror attack: Downing Street said the Russian plane that crashed in Egypt this week after taking off from the resort of Sharm al-Sheikh (pictured) may have been brought down by an explosive device
Terror zone: An area of Egypt is now considered too dangerous to fly over as well as the threat of poor security at Sharm El Sheikh airport
Meanwhile bewildered and anxious passengers stranded in Sharm El Sheikh are demanding to know when they would be brought home.
Some 16 flights were due to leave today, in addition to at least three cancelled last night and means up to 4,000 people who hoped to be back in the UK tonight are stuck in Egypt.
An emergency review by UK aviation experts has exposed serious loopholes in security procedures at the Red Sea resort where security staff were seen sleeping and waved through large bottles of liquid.
Six military planners are now in Sharm and they are being joined by extra consular staff and aviation experts, a Downing Street spokesman said.
UK security staff will guard planes between landing at Sharm and taking off again as well as screening passengers and luggage.
British tourists travelling through Sharm el-Sheikh airport in the days before and after the Russian holiday jet disaster have spoken of their shock at the appalling lack of security they faced.
One holidaymaker told how she spotted a security official playing the computer game Candy Crush while they should have been screening baggage.
Others said they were nonchalantly waved through body scanners by guards who were 'more interested in smoking cigarettes or eating their dinner' just 24 hours before the doomed Metrojet plane came down. Some staff were even found asleep on the job.
Sarah Cotterill and her daughter are among those stranded in Egypt after their EasyJet flight, right on the runway at Sharm, back to Gatwick was cancelled moment before they were due to take off
Defiant: Despite the bombing only flights to Russia are running as normal - pictured here are Russian and Ukrainian passengers queuing at security
Worries: Security also stood empty today where officials were accused of being more interested in playing on their phones or smoking than checking bags
Empty: The Egyptian airport is usually full with British tourists but many said it was deserted today as tourists were told to stay in their hotels and wait to be told when they will be home
Stuck: Anxious passengers stranded in Sharm airport (pictured last night) say they do not know when they will get home - and may have to wait up to ten days
Britons have been told to stay in their hotels if they were due to fly home last night or today.
Tour operators have asked some to return to the airport today to be told when they can go back to Britain and where they will stay until then.
The accommodation will be paid for by airlines or tour operators who will also cover the cost of meals and other expenses.
Seven planes - including two EasyJet and one Thomas Cook - could be seen parked on the runway at Sharm airport on Thursday morning.
A flight to Ancona in Italy and one to Brusssels was also due to leave on time, an airport spokeswoman said. 'It's only the British planes,' she added.
Abta said that according to the government, 3,500 UK holidaymakers were due to fly out to Sharm el Sheikh yesterday.
Paul Modley, who has been to Sharm el-Sheik seven times in the last nine years, said local people would be hit by any downturn in tourist numbers.
He is staying for the fifth time at the Royal Savoy hotel with his partner and friends, and is due to fly back to the UK with Monarch on Saturday.
The 49-year-old from Ealing, west London, said: 'We have always felt really safe here and we still feel safe. We are sitting round the pool carrying on as normal.
'We understand why the Government have done it, but I am really worried for the Egyptian people because - particularly in the Red Sea resorts - they are so dependent on tourism.
'The staff at the hotel are putting on a very positive face. I do not think they fully appreciate it right now but if this carries on for some time they will start to see the impact.
'People need to take the Government's advice around travel. But I would hate to think that we wouldn't be able to come back to Sharm because of local issues with terrorist cells.'
Mr Modley, who was also stranded in New York three years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, added that he felt 'slightly jinxed' but that it was just 'one of those things'.
Sarah Cotterill is among the 20,000 people stranded and was sent back to her hotel just before the flight was due to fly back.
She told BBC News: 'We were due to fly with easyJet back to Gatwick at tea-time last night. We got to the airport and we got through security and everything and then we were queuing up to board the plane, at which point the news came through from the UK that they were grounding flights, so after spending about three hours at the airport we've been bussed back to our hotel, and that's where we are at the moment.
'At the airport we had practically no information, and there was a few members of the Egyptian staff at the airport trying to tell us what they knew, but that was practically nothing. Just as we were leaving, some embassy staff turned up and they travelled with us to the hotel.
'While we were sat at the hotel, the lady from the embassy was telling us what was going on, but this morning we've not seen or heard from anybody. All we know is what we've managed to find on the internet, from the airline, from your website and things like that.'
Asked about whether her flight was being rescheduled, Ms Cotterill said: 'We've got no idea. All we know is from easyJet's website that it's not likely to be today, but we don't know when it will be.'
Asked how she would feel about getting on a plane, she said: 'Obviously it's worrying, but I think now that they're putting all this in place I think it will probably be the safest plane going from anywhere, I think, because they're going to be really checking everything because of what's happened, so I was concerned before but now I think they're taking the safety very seriously.'
Meeting: David Cameron shakes hands with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi outside No 10 Downing Street amid tensions
Busy: Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond arrives at Downing Street on his phone for a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee about the latest developments in Egypt
Campaigners opposed to Egyptian leader also staged angry demonstrations and blocked the entrance to Downing Street ahead of the meeting over Mr Sisi's human rights record
Police officers arrest anti-Sisi protesters outside Downing Street during demonstrations against the Egyptian president ahead of his meeting with David Cameron
SHE SAID YES! BOYFRIEND WHO FLEW HIS GIRLFRIEND TO SHARM TO PROPOSE GETS THE ANSWER HE WANTED... BUT NOW THEY'RE STRANDED
A British boyfriend left stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh with his girlfriend after flying out to the resort to propose to her has revealed he got the answer he so desperately wanted.
Andrew Weir popped the question to Chloe Glanville while scuba diving in the Red Sea on Tuesday, three days after the Russian holiday jet disaster.
Kneeling on the sea bed 15 metres under water, he wrote on a dive slate: 'Stay calm. Will you marry me?'
Miss Glanville, 24, responded by nodding yes.
Celebrate with some bubbles! Andrew Weir pops the question to girlfriend Chloe Glanville while scuba diving in the Red Sea three days after the Russian holiday jet disaster. She responded by nodding yes
The engagement put a wonderful gloss on what has been a turbulent week for the couple, who are stuck in Egypt with thousands of other British holidaymakers after the UK government grounded all flights to and from the resort.
The Metrojet flight crashed on Saturday, but the couple only learned of the disaster on Monday, it was reported by The Daily Telegraph.
Mr Weir, 25, a retail manager from Northampton, said: 'I wasn't massively worried because things do happen on planes
'I'm obviously a little more concerned now - less for my safety and more for how I'm going to get home.'
They were due to fly out tomorrow on Easyjet but have no idea how they will get home.
'EasyJet have told us nothing,' he said. 'I found out from a Facebook post by my local paper. We would just like a bit of info from easyJet.
'They've finally replied to my tweet asking me to call a number – which will of course cost me an arm and a leg. We've got insurance and our credit cards so I think we'd be fine.'
Mr Weir and his new fiance are staying at the five-star Royal Albatross Moderna in Nabq Bay.
He added: 'There's no real sense of panic, more just confusion. We aren't concerned for our safety, more about how we're going to get home.'
British tourists stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh are appealing for information about when they can return home.
Adam, from Sheffield, has been staying at the Radisson Blu resort with his brother.
The pair were due to fly back to the UK with Monarch on Friday, but say they have 'no idea whatsoever' about what will happen. He said he had received only 'generic information' from the airline.
Adam, who declined to give his full name, said: 'We have been kept in the dark a little bit. We've just been told all flights have been cancelled. A little bit of information would have been nice - just something.'
Having visited last year he said: 'It definitely feels different for me. The mood is a bit tense ... and it has dampened my mood a little bit.
'I am trying my hardest to keep it at the back of my mind.'
Jared Ashworth, believed to be from Oldham, wrote on Twitter: 'Currently on our 2nd day in Sharm. Looking at the news and wondering how much longer we have out here and if we will get home!'
Passenger Mark Herbert spoke to The Sun from a plane on the tarmac at the resort's airport last night.
He told the newspaper: 'They're getting the passengers off the plane as we speak. We saw on Sky News that flights had been suspended then the captain came on.
'He said hopefully they'd get us out of here tomorrow but they can't guarantee it.'
Ian East, 29, from Didcot, is due to fly back on Saturday with his partner. He fears any delay could leave him out of pocket.
'We've been told nothing yet,' he said. 'We are meant to fly home on Saturday via easyJet but are waiting to hear anything about whether we can get home. We're hoping for some sort of contingency plan of sending planes out here to get us home, but I expect that won't happen. I'm not sure what happens with regards to money – we'd be really stretched.'
Andrew Weir, 25, from Northampton, flew out to Sharm his girlfriend Chloe Glanville, 24, where he successfully proposed while under water in scuba diving gear.
They are due to fly back to Luton tomorrow with easyJet but now expect to be made to wait.
'EasyJet have told us nothing,' he said. 'I found out from a Facebook post by my local paper. We would just like a bit of info from easyJet.
'They've finally replied to my tweet asking me to call a number – which will of course cost me an arm and a leg. We've got insurance and our credit cards so I think we'd be fine.'
Mr Weir and his new fiance are staying at the five-star Royal Albatross Moderna in Nabq Bay.
He added: 'There's no real sense of panic, more just confusion. We aren't concerned for our safety, more about how we're going to get home'.
Possible proof: A picture of one of the crashed Airbus A321's doors show it bearing 'pockmarks' on the inside, which could be evidence of shrapnel from a bomb that has gone off inside the plane
'Bomb evidence': Images show holes in the wreckage of the Airbus A321 that crashed on the Sinai peninsula Saturday, killing all 224 onboard, which appears to have been caused by something from inside the plane
Further proof: Russian media has noted that there are 'holes in the plane parts with the edges curved inside-out', as Islamic State militants repeated their claims that they are responsible
TRAVEL ADVICE FROM AIRLINES AND OPERATORS AMID TERROR CRISIS
A host of travel operators have responded to the Government's warnings by grounding flights to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Here is the advice being offered to customers:
Shutdown: British planes will not fly on or out of Sharm Airport today on Government security advice
EasyJet: Has cancelled its flights to and from the resort today and would keep future flights 'under review, pending further advice from the Government'.
'Passengers booked to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh in the next two weeks are able to request a refund, or change their flights to an alternative date or destination free of charge.
'We are doing all possible to keep all affected passengers informed and have provided hotel rooms for those delayed overnight this evening. We are working with the UK Government to work out the basis upon which easyJet can fly passengers in Sharm el-Sheikh back home,' it said.
Thomson Airways and First Choice: Cancelled all outbound flights to Sharm el-Sheikh up to and including Thursday November 12.
A statement said: 'All customers booked to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh in this period will be provided with a full refund.
'As a priority, we are contacting customers due to travel tomorrow and ask those travelling later in the week to please bear with us as we manage this evolving situation.'
All customers on holiday in in the area who travelled on Thomson Airways on a flight-only basis are advised to immediately contact the 24-hour holiday line +44 33 33 365 147.
British Airways: Flights to and from the resort would probably be delayed by 24 hours.
A spokesman said: 'The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority. We would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.'
Customers are advised to contact the airline at BritishAirways.com.
Thomas Cook: also cancelled all flights until next Thursday.
The company said it hoped to bring its 1,700 customers back to the UK 'in due course' and those due to fly today would be allowed to stay in their accommodation for free.
Those due to fly in the next week would be allowed to cancel or re-book with a £25 discount, the firm said.
Monarch has grounded all flights today and said it was working with the FO to arrange to fly its customers back to the UK.
Those who were set to travel to the region today should not go to the airport and instead contact the firm's customer services on 0333 003 0700 or 0333 777 4744 for package holiday customers.
Travel agent association Abta has estimated there are at least 9,000 Britons on holiday at the resort and advised passengers who were stranded or were booked to go in the next few days to contact their tour operator.
An Abta spokesman said: 'The FO has not raised the threat level in the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The change in advice applies only to air travel to and from Sharm el-Sheikh.
'Abta estimates there are around 9,000 customers currently on holiday with its members in Sharm el-Sheikh, but there will also be a number of holidaymakers who have travelled independently.
'Most insurance policies will still provide cover for holidaymakers in a country at the time of FO advice change.
'Those with holidays booked within the next 48 hours to Sharm el-Sheikh are advised to contact their travel company to discuss their options. If you have booked a package you will be entitled to a refund or alternative holiday.
'If you are not travelling within the next 48 hours you will need to check with your travel company as to what your options are and follow their advice.
'Those people with bookings beyond this are advised to wait until closer to the departure date to contact their travel company as the situation is reviewed.'
Flights to Russia and Ukraine from the Egyptian holiday resort of Sharm El Sheikh continued as normal on Thursday, despite a British and Irish ban on all departures.
Passengers bound for Russia and Ukriane arrived as normal. They did however face long queues at security, as Egyptian officials doubled their efforts in the wake of Saturday's disaster and subsequent critism of airport checks.
Russia today accepted it was Britain's 'sovereign right' to halt its flights to and from Sharm El Sheikh, but stressed that any conclusions as to what caused the crash of the Airbus were premature.
Egypt has already accused the British government of acting prematurely.
'We said previously and say again that the reasons and versions of what happened can only be announced by the investigation,' said Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
'We haven't yet heard any announcements from the investigation. All other assumptions are not credible and are speculations.'
He refused to comment in detail on the British decision to halt fights to and from the Red Sea resort. 'It's their sovereign right,' he said.
Flights to Russia; Queen Alia International Airport Airport in Jordan and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia were scheduled to take off on time on Thursday afternoon.
Photographs have emerged of the Russian tourist jet that went down over Egypt's Sinai peninsula last weekend, which appears to prove that it was brought down by a bomb.
Images show holes in the wreckage of the Airbus A321 which bear the evidence of having been caused by something from inside the plane.
This follows news of further evidence suggesting that the crash was the result of a bomb planted by Islamic State militants, U.S. and European security sources said on Wednesday.
Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda has highlighted pictures of the Airbus A321 wreckage in Egypt showing pockmarks in the fuselage.
The holes 'looks like marks made by shrapnel', and in addition there are 'holes in the plane parts with the edges curved inside-out.
'We may suppose that these are the holes made by the destructive parts of the bomb,' said the newspaper, which credited bloggers with highlighting the 'evidence'.
One image shows 'small holes at the inner door of the emergency exit at the back part of the plane.
Departures: Flights from Sharm are now limited with Brussels now the only European destination still flying after Britain's decision to end flights
Grounded: Commercial flights to and from Sharm are cancelled and a Government led operation will help Britons get home after that
Mourners continue to lay flowers and candles in memory of the victims of the Russian MetroJet Airbus crash at Pulkovo airport in St Petersburg, Russia
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said 'additional layers of baggage screening and searching' were being put in place to get the 20,000 Britons home, but the extra checks would not be sustainable in the long-term.
'We will do whatever is necessary. If we have to have unusual arrangements to return them - regardless of the cost, regardless of delay - we will do so,' he told BBC Radio Four's Today programme.
But he warned that 'normal flying activity' will not resume between Britain and Egypt if security cannot be guaranteed under 'robust and effective' security screening.
Mr Hammond said: 'We have an immediate problem to deal with – there are 20,000 British people in Sharm el-Sheikh and we have got to get them back safely.
'We will do whatever is necessary. If we have to send in additional personnel, additional equipment.
'If we have to have unusual handling arrangements we will do so. Regardless of the cost, regardless of the delay, regardless of the inconvenience.
'In the longer term arrangements have to be sustainable. They have to allow for the operation of normal airline schedules.
'We will not resume normal flying activity until we are confident there are long-term sustainable arrangements in place that make flying between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh safe'.
Mr Hammond said the Cobra meeting of senior ministers and security officials 'reviewed all the information that we have available from a range of sources' about the plane crash.
He said: 'As a result of that review we have concluded there is a significant possibility that that crash was caused by an explosive device on board the aircraft.'
Mr Hammond said the decision to close down flights to the airport had been taken 'very reluctantly' and praised Egyptian authorities for 'moving heaven and earth to meet our demands on the ground'.
The Ministry of Defence will also send a small team of military personnel to advise on security.
Stranded passengers would be returned to the UK, he said, but reassured others out there that the popular Red Sea resort itself was still considered safe.
Mr Hammond added he had spoken to his angry counterpart in Cairo, Sameh Shoukry.
'I recognise his concern. Of course this will have a huge negative impact for Egypt. But with respect to him, he hasn't seen all the information that we have,' he said.
'When we see something which we believe represents a threat to British nationals we have to act on it and the other consequences have to be dealt with.'
Drone footage shared showed an aerial view of the Metrojet crash site in Sinai, Egypt on Tuesday
An initial inspection of the Cockpit Voice Recorder, pictured, found 'unusual noises' immediately before the aircraft was destroyed
Disturbing video emerged yesterday of the smouldering wreckage of the Russian holiday jet which crashed
EGYPT'S ANGER AT 'TOO HASTY' NO 10 ADVICE OVER FLIGHTS TO UK
By Jason Groves and Tamara Cohen
A video emerged yesterday of a Russian-speaking member of IS praising his 'Sinai brothers' for destroying the Metrojet plane.
Brandishing a knife and surrounded by fellow jihadists, a man speaking in Russian and Arabic also warns Vladimir Putin of more attacks in revenge for air strikes against IS in Syria.
Meanwhile, an audio message posted on a Twitter account used by Islamic State's Egyptian affiliate – which calls itself the 'Province of Sinai' – yesterday boasted of taking out the Russian plane.
A video also emerged of Russian terrorists praising the 'Sinai brothers' for allegedly destroying the jet and warning Vladimir Putin of further attacks in revenge for air strikes against the Islamic State in Syria
'We say to the deniers and the doubters: Die in your rage,' it said. 'We, with God's grace, are the ones who brought it down.'
Last night, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed the prime minister had chaired a meeting of the Cobra security committee after intelligence suggested the 'significant possibility' of a bomb causing the crash.
He said: 'As a result of that review, we have concluded that there is a significant possibility that the crash was caused by an explosive device on board the aircraft.'
Reports last night suggested the government was not acting on information gathered from the wreckage, but instead from US intelligence.
Satellite images are said to show a 'flash' before the aircraft plummeted to the ground, and one US official claimed 'intercepted communications' from Islamic State fighters also played a role.
But despite these reports, David Cameron was caught up in a diplomatic row after openly saying the plane 'may well have been brought down by an explosive device'.
The Prime Minister was accused of acting 'too hastily' after all flights were suspended between the UK and Sharm El Sheikh.
Last night the deputy head of Sharm airport said Britain's conclusion that the Russian plane may have been brought down by a bomb comes 'too soon' and may be aimed at damaging the country's vital tourism sector.
And Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry last night told the BBC the decision was 'premature and unwarranted' and risked devastating the country's vital tourism industry. A top Egyptian aviation official echoed Mr Shoukry and claimed teams from Russian and British airlines had assessed security procedures at Sharm el-Sheikh airport yesterday and 'left without making a single remark about it'. Mr Cameron is due to hold talks with Egypt's autocratic president today.
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who seized power in a coup two years ago, has dismissed speculation of a terrorist attack as 'propaganda' designed to damage Egypt's tourist industry. The two leaders had already spoken about the growing crisis in a phone call on Tuesday night.
Egypt was desperate to avoid Britain changing its travel advice for Sharm, which is one of the few resorts still considered safe.
Crispin Blunt, Tory chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee, said today's talks were likely to be very awkward for Mr Cameron.
He added: 'The tourist industry is historically very important to Egypt and the only place still in any sort of shape was Sharm, which has been relying on Russians and Brits mainly – it is difficult to see how many of them will be going now.'
Sharm El Sheikh – the country's main tourist destination – is seen as a soft target because of seemingly lax security at its airport.
British tourists have described walking through metal detectors without being stopped even when the alarm sounds.
Following Saturday's plane crash, in which all 224 on board died, investigators questioned caterers who delivered food onto the doomed Russian Airbus.
The Prime Minister is the first world leader to say the Russian Airbus may have been downed by a bomb hours after Islamic State issued a video boasting of bringing down the plane and warning of more attacks.
David Cameron responded by ordering the Foreign Office to warn against flying in or out of Sharm – all flights were subsequently cancelled – and he will chair a Cobra meeting this morning to discuss the crisis.
The October 31 crash, which cost 224 lives, would be the first successful airline attack by terrorists since two Russian jets were hit by Islamist extremists in 2004.
The terror alert has left 20,000 British tourists without a flight home. And it throws the travel plans of thousands more into chaos because around 900,000 Britons fly to the Red Sea every year.
As 14 UK flights to Sharm this morning were cancelled, it emerged that:
- US intelligence shows the Russian jet crash was probably caused by a bomb planted by Islamic State;
- Mr Cameron faces testing talks with the Egyptian president at Downing Street today;
- Security at airports around the world is expected to be tightened;
- The deputy head of Sharm airport said the cause of the crash was still unknown.
No specific threats have been made against British flights but there are fears it is too easy to smuggle a bomb on to a jet at Sharm airport.
Aviation experts from the Department for Transport and UK airlines will be sent to Sharm el-Sheikh to carry out intensive checks on passengers, crew, luggage and all 'restricted areas' of aircraft before they will be cleared for take-off.
Travel agent association ABTA said that those affected will get a full refund - or offered an alternative holiday - but not compensation.
Stranded tourists have said that they have been told to return to hotels paid for by airlines and must wait to be told when they can leave.
No flights are expected to take-off for the UK today, with the first stranded holidaymakers expected to board plans tomorrow – but only if British intelligence agencies are confident of their safety.
British airlines are flying empty plans to Sharm el-Sheikh today to prepare for the evacuation. However, the Foreign Office expects many of the 20,000 Britons in the resort to continue with their holiday.
'A lot of people won't want to leave,' a source said.
'They will want to carry on with their holiday. The issue is not with the resort but with security at the airport. We have got to make sure that when they have finished their holiday they can return home safely.'
Egypt's Minister of Civil Aviation Hossam Kamal says Egyptian airports comply with international standards and apply airport security measures.
His remarks on Thursday come as multiple major carriers have cancelled flights to the Red Sea beach resort of Sharm el-Sheikh following last weekend's Russian plane crash.
Russia's Airbus 321-200 was en route from the resort to St. Petersburg when it crashed 23 minutes after the take-off.
Kamal says the Sharm el-Sheikh airport is expecting 23 flights from Russia on Thursday, as well as eight from Ukraine and three from Italy. Flights are also expected from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
He says that in light of U.S. and British allegations that the Russian flight may have been downed by a bomb, 'the investigation team does not have yet any evidence or data confirming this hypothesis.'
Are you stuck in Egypt? Has your holiday been cancelled? Call 0203 6151866 or email: martin.robinson@mailonline.co.uk or simon.tomlinson@mailonline.co.uk
NEWLYWEDS LEFT WONDERING IF THEIR HONEYMOON WILL GO AHEAD
Stephen and Maria Wilson, from Howden in East Yorkshire, are due to fly out for an 11-night stay in Sharm el-Sheikh on Thursday next week
A newlywed couple are facing an anxious wait to see if their honeymoon in Egypt can go ahead.
Stephen and Maria Wilson, from Howden in East Yorkshire, are due to fly out for an 11-night stay in Sharm el-Sheikh on Thursday next week.
But Government concerns over the safety of flights in and out of the resort's airport could result in holiday disruption for thousands.
Mr Wilson, an farmer, said: 'We only booked our honeymoon two weeks ago, and now we're waiting to see if we can go or not.
'We wanted to go somewhere hot, but didn't want to go long haul, so we went for Sharm el-Sheikh.
'We did our research and everybody said once you get out of Sharm airport, you're fine. It's a very safe area. It's bulletproof, everyone said.
'We have been listening to the radio and the television, waiting for information, but we are not sure what we can do.'
Mr Wilson, 43, said he is waiting to hear from holiday firm Thomson about their options, having paid £1,600 for their sunshine break.
He said: 'Ideally we want to know what's happening by Saturday. That would give us enough time to put new plans in place.
'But at the moment other destinations are putting their prices up. We aren't left with many options if we have to look elsewhere at the last minute.'
Stephen and Maria Wilson, from Howden in East Yorkshire, are due to fly out for an 11-night stay in Sharm el-Sheikh on Thursday next week
A newlywed couple are facing an anxious wait to see if their honeymoon in Egypt can go ahead.
Stephen and Maria Wilson, from Howden in East Yorkshire, are due to fly out for an 11-night stay in Sharm el-Sheikh on Thursday next week.
But Government concerns over the safety of flights in and out of the resort's airport could result in holiday disruption for thousands.
Mr Wilson, an farmer, said: 'We only booked our honeymoon two weeks ago, and now we're waiting to see if we can go or not.
'We wanted to go somewhere hot, but didn't want to go long haul, so we went for Sharm el-Sheikh.
'We did our research and everybody said once you get out of Sharm airport, you're fine. It's a very safe area. It's bulletproof, everyone said.
'We have been listening to the radio and the television, waiting for information, but we are not sure what we can do.'
Mr Wilson, 43, said he is waiting to hear from holiday firm Thomson about their options, having paid £1,600 for their sunshine break.
He said: 'Ideally we want to know what's happening by Saturday. That would give us enough time to put new plans in place.
'But at the moment other destinations are putting their prices up. We aren't left with many options if we have to look elsewhere at the last minute.'
FAMILY DUE TO GO ON FIRST HOLIDAY FEAR TO FLY FOLLOWING CRASH
Alex Watson, 31, a sales director at a media company, was due to fly out at 9.10 tomorrow morning from Gatwick to Sharm, with his fiancée Carla, 28, and their six-month-old baby, Harry, on their first ever family holiday.
Mr Watson, from Rochester in Kent, said his parents were to join them on the Thomson trip, which cost around £5,500, but following the plane crash on Saturday they have become increasingly worried for their safety.
He said: 'We have has no communication from them, we're in a bit of limbo as to what to do, it's a difficult situation.
Alex Watson, 31, (pictured) a sales director, was due to fly out at 9.10 tomorrow morning from Gatwick to Sharm, with his fiancée Carla, 28, and their six-month-old baby, Harry, on their first ever family holiday
'My dad and I are willing to give it a go but my mum and fiancée are petrified and we don't really know what to do.
'My mum and fiancée are dead against us even going now. I work in London and I'm aware terrorism can happen at any time, but now the government has said they think it's a bomb.
'We've called Thomson about five times over the last few days and all of the customer services people seemed quite rude.
'When I rang yesterday at about 2pm the woman told me 'it's still safe', but when my fiancée spoke to a customer services person she said 'would you take our child there?' and the rep said no. They tried to backtrack when they realised what they had said but it's not exactly reassuring.
'When you are flying to a high risk place you want maximum reassurance, and we don't feel we've been getting that.'
Mr Watson said his family do not believe it is safe to fly to Egypt following the crash on Saturday
WILL YOUR FLIGHT BE CROSSING A TERRORIST DANGER ZONE? GRAPHIC REVEALS NO FLYING ZONES IN PLACE
Passenger jets leaving Britain routinely fly over areas of the world where conflict on the ground could put them at risk.
The risk was brought into tragic focus in July last year when a Malaysia Airlines passenger flight was shot down in eastern Ukraine by a missile launcher allegedly operated by pro-Russian separatists. All 298 people aboard Flight MH17 were killed.
Since then, with the exception of direct flights into Kiev, most airlines have avoided Ukrainian airspace.
However, MH17 is thought to have been destroyed by a sophisticated long-range missile – not the shoulder-launched devices obtained by ISIS gunmen and other rebel groups. These normally have maximum vertical range of 15,000 to 20,000ft, much less than the cruising height of commercial airliners.
Aviation authorities issue 'Notices to Airman' that place restrictions on commercial flights operated by carriers crossing hazardous airspace. For the world's most dangerous areas – including Syria and Libya – all flights are banned.
But in others restrictions only apply to flights below a certain altitude, usually around 26,000ft, depending on the perceived range of anti-aircraft weapons available to gunmen in those countries. Warnings issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration cover global hotspots including Libya, Iraq, Yemen and parts of the Sinai Peninsular in Egypt. They are regarded as an international standard.
The Department for Transport's list of flying restrictions for nine countries issued to British carriers is almost the same but also includes Pakistan.
Planes flying over such areas are warned not to go beneath 26,000ft because of the risk from terrorist or rebel fighters. In many cases – such as the Ukrainian capital Kiev – the no-fly rule does not include direct flights in and out.
Many terror groups around the world have access to the shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, known as MANPADS – or Man-portable air-defence systems. They were developed by the US and Russia in the Cold War.
They are a threat to low-flying aircraft, especially helicopters, and it is possible they could be used to attack an aircraft taking off or landing.
In February 2003, then Prime Minister Tony Blair sent armoured vehicles to Heathrow in response to intelligence warning of an 'extremely probable' terrorist attack. While it did not happen, it is likely that such an attack could have involved the use of MANPADS.
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