Putin has demanded to thoroughly investigate Kogalymavia plane crash in Egypt

NOVO-OGAREVO, November 2. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded to thoroughly investigate the Kogalymavia plane crash in Egypt. "Without any doubt, everything should be done to recreate the objective picture of what happened, so that we know what happened and reacted accordingly," Putin said at a meeting with Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov wo heads the governmental commission on investigating the air crash in Egypt. "This work should continue until we are fully confident that this stage has been completed," Putin said after hearing Sokolov’s report on the search operation at the crash site. "It should not be stopped ahead of time on formal preconditions," the president stressed. Sokolov noted that the commission is doing everything possible to establish the cause of the air crash as soon as possible. He noted that in accordance with international rules, the country where the accident happened is tasked with technical organization of the investigation. Among participants in the investigation are Egypt, where the air crash occurred; Russia, operator of the plane; Ireland, the country of registration; and France, the manufacturer. Ukraine and Belarus can also take part in the investigation as the nationals of these countries were among the victims of the air crash. Aviation authorities of Israel, Turkey and Cyprus can also provide assistance as neighboring countries. "We will do everything possible to establish the cause of the catastrophe as soon as possible," he stressed. Putin also noted that the region where the plane crashed is the zone where clashes often occur between Egyptian government forces and terrorist groups. "When working at the crash site, I ask you to be careful," the president told Sokolov. Russian Kogalymavia’s A321 plane en route from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg crashed on October 31 around 30 minutes after takeoff in North Sinai, 100 kilometers to the south of Al-Arish. Flight 9268 carried 217 passengers and seven crewmembers. Egyptian authorities said no one survived in the crash. Most passengers were Russian nationals. Among the people onboard were also four Ukrainian citizens and one Belarusian national. Read more