Russia has ordered the suspension of all flights to Egypt following information that the crash of flight KGL9268 near Sharm el-Sheikh was caused by a bomb.

President Vladimir Putin made the announcement on the recommendation of the head of Russia’s FSB security service, after UK investigators said they believed the plane crash was caused by a bomb.

The investigators believe that an explosive device was placed in the plane’s hold prior to take-off, and detonated shortly after the plane left the ground, killing all 224 people on board.

A Sinai-based militant group affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) claim to have been behind the bombing, but there is little information to confirm or refute this charge.

After announcing the suspension of flights, Putin said he had instructed his government to work out “mechanisms to… ensure Russian citizens return home” and to establish co-operation with Egyptian authorities to ensure air traffic safety.

Russia says as many as 45,000 Russian holidaymakers are currently in Egypt and are now in need of repatriation.

Meanwhile, the UK estimates 19,000 Britons remain stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh and Egyptian authorities have sharply curtailed the number of flights planned to bring them home over security concerns.