A "Russian civilian plane... crashed in the central Sinai," the office of Prime Minister Sharif Ismail said in a statement.
A senior aviation official said it was a charter flight operated by a Russian company and had on board 217 passengers and seven crew members. Communication with the aircraft was lost, he added.
The aircraft was reportedly carrying 224 passengers and crew. RIA Nnovosti has reported that 17 on board were children.
Egyptian rescue teams report finding debris in southern Arish, in the Sinai, according to the country's aviation authority, reports AFP.
The Russian airline Kogalymavia flight was on its way to Russia after taking off from Sharm el-Sheikh resort on the Red Sea. Most people on the plane were Russian tourists, reports IBTimes online (Click here.)
More to follow.