The cabinet will be the only Egyptian authority in charge of giving official statements on the Russian plane crash in Sinai, a well-placed source at the Egyptian Health Ministry said.

In statements to MENA, the source said Saturday the measure has been taken to avoid conflicting reports.

The plane, carrying 217 people along with seven crew members, disappeared from radars only 23 minutes after taking off from Sharm el Sheikh on its way to the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

Source: MENA