Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit sending team to Egypt

The Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit is sending a team to Eygpt to help in the investigation into the plane crash which killed 224 people.

The Russian owned Metrojet airline's plane is registered in Ireland, so investigators have offered their services following the disaster.

The plane that crashed in Egypt had broken up at high altitude, according to Russia’s top aviation official.

Alexander Neradko, head of the federal aviation agency, said the large area over which fragments of the plane were scattered indicated that it disintegrated while flying high.

Mr Neradko would not comment on possible reason for the crash, saying the probe is ongoing. He is in Egypt to inspect the crash site along with two Russian cabinet ministers.

Egypt's president Sisi ahs said it could take months for investigators to work out why a Russian jetliner crashed, killing all 224 people on board.

All of the Metrojet airline's A321's will be examined by authorities in Russia.

Egypt's President Sisi has said patience is needed.

“It is very important that we leave this matter alone and not discuss its causes because it will take a long time. These matters are very complicated and require advanced and extensive investigations that can take months.”

Flowers have been laid at the Russian embassy in Dublin today , where candles remain lit out of respect to those who died.