Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation held a candlelight vigil at the Sharm El Sheikh airport to commemorate the victims of the Russian passenger plane that was downed over Sinai last year. Civil aviation minister Sherif Fathy attended the vigil alongside Russia’s ambassador to Egypt, Sergei Kerbachenko. Fathy expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and all those affected by the crash, while Kerbachenko said the “sadness is ongoing and will never go away.” Egypt’s ambassador to Russia, Mohamed El Badry, also expressed his condolences on the anniversary of the crash. “On the anniversary of the big tragedy, I would like to present my condolences to all Russians and to the families of the victims and tell them that their loss is not forgotten and it will not be forgotten by the Egyptian people and by the Egyptian government,” El Badry told Russian news outlet Sputnik. On October 31, 2015, a Russian plane carrying 224 people crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all individuals on board. ISIS affiliate Wilayat Sinai claimed responsibility for downing the plane, saying it was in retaliation for Russia’s airstrikes in Syria. Following the crash, Russia suspended all flights to and from Egypt over security concerns, with…
Egypt Holds Candlelight Vigil on Anniversary of Russian Plane Crash
October 31, 2016
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