Britain shuts down Sharm el-Sheikh flights after intelligence intercepts IS talks - (media)

The British authorities decided to shut down flights to and from the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh after the country’s intelligence intercepted messages of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization suggesting a terrorist attack in the region, the Daily Telegraph reported citing its sources.

According to the British daily: "The communications and "chatter" - uncovered by British intelligence only after the Russian passenger jet tragedy - are what led David Cameron to say it was "more likely than not" that a bomb brought the plane down…"

"…the Telegraph understands that the crucial intelligence came after MI5, GCHQ and their US counterparts went back over communications of known fanatics in the region," the daily said. "Their trawl revealed "chatter" in the days before the crash pointing to an imminent attack. It is feared Isil [the Islamic State] affiliates in the Sinai region were behind the atrocity."

Britain’s Wednesday decision to suspend flights to and from Sharm el-Sheikh reportedly left some 20,000 British tourists stranded in the Egyptian resort city. 

According to the Daily Telegraph, flights would resumed on Friday bringing home about 4,000 British tourists, but passengers were warned they would not be allowed to take luggage in the hold."

"The move suggests officials fear a bomb was smuggled into the hold of flight 7K9268 in the checked luggage," the daily reported. "It came as it emerged Britain raised concerns around baggage handling at Sharm el-Sheikh airport ten months ago...
  [tass.ru]
6/11/15
--
-
Related:

• UK investigators looking at what caused a Russian airliner to crash in Egypt believe a bomb was put in the hold prior to take-off, the BBC has learned...

• British, Belgian airlines to repatriate tourists from Sharm El Sheikh without luggage