‘I don’t understand what’s happening’: Shock and denial at Russia airport after Egypt plane crash

Irina Semyonova said her friend Natasha last called her from the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to say she’d bought her a present of perfume from the airport’s duty-free shop.

“She was vacationing there with a friend,” Semyonova said blankly, showing a picture on her phone of a smiling swimsuit-clad young woman, her blonde hair in a long plait.

Semyonova was one of a crowd of people gathered in Pulkovo airport in Saint-Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city, who were left reeling after news broke that the plane they had been waiting for had crashed shortly after takeoff in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Saturday.

WHAT HAPPENED: No survivors in 'tragic scene': A Russian Airliner crashes into Sinai killing all 224 people on board

Like many Russians, Semyonova’s friend had gone on holiday to one of Egypt’s Red Sea resorts which are especially popular during the winter when people try to escape the long months of cold and dark in search of warmer climes.

Many of those who came to pick up friends or relatives were in denial as reports trickled about the fate of the 224 people who had been onboard the Airbus 321 operated by the Russian carrier Kogalymavia.

Airport officials tried to keep things calm with a tannoy announcement asking all those waiting to meet those on board the ill-fated Sharm el-Sheikh flight to “come to the information stand.”

They were then ushered onto buses and taken to a hotel where psychologists and doctors were waiting. Six ambulances were waiting at the airport.

“I don’t understand what is happening,” said 20-year-old Anna, as two emergency workers gently led her away.