33 victims of plane crash in Egypt identified

A Russian official says families have identified the bodies of 33 victims killed in plane crash over Egypt.

The Russian jet crashed over the Sinai Peninsula early Saturday, killing all 224 people on board. Most of them were holidaymakers from Russia's St Petersburg.

Igor Albin, deputy governor of St Petersburg, said in a televised conference call that as of today morning families have identified 33 bodies.

Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov said rescue teams in Egypt have expanded the search area to 40 square kilometers.

Russian officials have refrained from announcing the cause of the crash, citing the ongoing investigation.