FRIENDS and family of the 66 people on board EgyptAir flight MS804 have gathered at airports in Paris and Cairo as they wait for news of their loved ones.
Pictures from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris show the anguish of family members as they comfort one another at the place that has become a rallying point for those affected. Families have also gathered in Cairo to wait for news.
Aviation officials speaking on condition of anonymity have confirmed the plane crashed and a search is underway for debris. Meanwhile, counter-terrorism officials have said they cannot rule out the possibility of a terror attack.
EgyptAir has confirmed the plane was carrying 30 Egyptian and 15 French passengers, as well as a Briton and a Canadian. Two Iraqis as well as passengers from Belgium, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Chad, Portugal and Algeria were also on board.
Reporters at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris said the EgyptAir counter remained unstaffed earlier.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said “no theory can be ruled out†regarding the plane’s disappearance.
EgyptAir earlier confirmed flight MS804 went missing after leaving from Charles de Gaulle at 11:09pm en route to Cairo.
There were 66 people on board including 56 passengers, three EgyptAir security staff and seven crew.