(Updated on May 20 with information on conflicting reports of discovery)
Search teams have found wreckage from Egyptair Flight MS804 some 180 miles off Alexandria, Egypt, in the Mediterranean Sea, according to Egyptian authorities. The discovery comes less than a day Egyptair retracted a statement indicating the discovery of debris on Thursday near the Greek island of Karpathos. In that statement, Egyptair extended its “deepest sympathies” to the family and friends of the 66 people on board the Airbus A320.
At the time, the airline said the information originated from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which sent an official letter to the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation. It contained no mention of survivors.
Meanwhile, French accident investigation bureau BEA has sent a team of experts to Cairo in an advisory role. The agency said it would assist Egyptian authorities in organizing the underwater search for the cockpit voice and data recorders.
Airbus added that it stands ready to provide full technical assistance to BEA and Egyptian authorities in charge of the investigation.
The manufacturer delivered the aircraft, MSN 2088, to Egyptair in November 2003. Powered by IAE engines, it had accumulated approximately 48,000 flight hours.