Russian search and rescue team leaves Egypt after crash work

Members of a Russian search and rescue team that was brought to Egypt after the October 31 Russian plane crash in the Sinai Peninsula have left the country to return to Moscow.

The team of 48 left today. It had been recovering bodies at the crash site in Sinai’s Hassana area, some 70 kilometres south of the peninsula’s city of el-Arish.

The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheikh en route to St Petersburg. All 224 people aboard the plane were killed.

Other Russians remain in Egypt as part of the investigation committee seeking to determine the cause of the crash.

US and British officials have cited intelligence reports as indicating the passenger plane was likely downed by a bomb on board.