Emirates, Lufthansa and Air France have stopped flying over the Sinai Peninsula area, and are reviewing their flight routes after a Russian commercial plane crashed there, killing all 224 passengers and crew on board.
Despite earlier reports stating that the plane’s pilot had contacted aviation authorities prior to the crash, Egypt’s minister for civil aviation said late on Saturday that the pilot did not lodge a distress call, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The Islamic State group’s Egypt affiliate has claimed responsibility for downing the Russian passenger plane, as reported by AFP. CNN IBN reports, rescue officers have recovered 100 bodies, including five children. All 224 aboard are believed to have been dead, including 17 children.
Here are earlier updates from the big story.
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