A major airline has suspended flights over the Red Sea after the crew of an aircraft saw a “luminous object at high altitude” as the plane passed near Sudan.
Flight tracking data shows Air France flight 934 from Paris to Madagascar declared an emergency today (Sunday) “due to a technical issue” and returned to Paris after changing course over the Red Sea.
According to flight data site AirLive the Air France “confirms that, as a precautionary measure, it has decided to suspend overflight of the Red Sea area until further notice.
“This decision follows the suspicion of a crew observing a luminous object at high altitude in the Sudan area.”
Madagascan politician Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko was on board the aircraft which turned around. He posted a status on Facebook saying a “missile” had missed a flight ahead of his.
He said: “The news about the Air France flight is correct, because I am on the flight. A Missile passed by a plane in front of us but it wasn’t shot , that’s the reason for returning to France.
“There was a missile plane in the air of Sudan today.”
MORE TO FOLLOW…
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: /news
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow our social media accounts here on facebook.com/DailyExpress and @Daily_Express