Explosives Testing on A321 Crash Debris Will Take Two Weeks

Forensic tests on possible traces of explosives at the A321 plane crash site may take at least two weeks, according to Russia's RIA Novosti news agency.

The first results of forensic tests on possible traces of explosives at the A321 plane crash site could be announced soon, with a detailed report  due to be released in two weeks, sources told RIA Novosti.

One of the sources was quoted as saying that finding traces of explosives is a rather difficult task.

"In the simplest case, you need three to seven days to completely explore the object," the source said.

The other source pointed out that it will take at least two weeks to wrap up a comprehensive test related to tracking traces of explosives.

On November 6, Russia's Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov confirmed that Russian experts have taken swabs and scrapes from the crashed A321 debris.

He assured that the investigation is being conducted by the most experienced forensic experts using modern high-tech equipment.

The Russian Airbus A321 passenger plane crashed in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on October 31 en route from Egypt's resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh to St. Petersburg.

All 224 people on board were killed. The crash became the biggest tragedy in the history of Russian and Soviet civil aviation.