Wreckage found of Russian passenger plane following crash over Egypt

The wreckage of a crashed passenger plane has been located in southern Arish in Sinai, according to Egypt’s aviation authority.

The Russian airliner had taken off from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, on its way to the Russian city of St Petersburg but disappeared from Air Traffic control radar screens 23 minutes after take off.

It is believed most of the passengers were Russian tourists, while reports in Egypt suggest that the missing plane was carrying 200 adult passengers, 17 children and seven members of crew staff.

A statement from Egypt’s prime minister’s office said a cabinet level crisis committee would meet to deal with the crash.

Egyptian security sources say there is no indication the plane was shot down.

More to follow.