Home   Malling   News   Article

Kent couple stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt following Russian plane crash speak out

A mother of four has spoken of the lack of information she has received after being left stranded in Sharm el-Sheikh following the government’s decision to suspend all flights to and from the area.

Abigail Hope de Garis is one of 20,000 holidaymakers stuck in the Egyptian resort amid security fears.

The 39-year-old went on holiday with husband Brendan de Garis to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary but has been left emotionally drained and without answers.

Scroll down for audio

Abigail Hope de Garis and Brendan de Garis in Sharm el-Sheikh
Abigail Hope de Garis and Brendan de Garis in Sharm el-Sheikh

The drastic measure was announced on Wednesday in the wake of the suspected downing of a Russian passenger jet over Sinai.

All 224 people on board were killed when the aircraft crashed on Saturday and foreign secretary Philip Hammond has since said there is a “significant possibility” the airliner was brought down by a bomb.

"I'm more upset for my children, I don't care about myself. I want to get home so I can protect them." — Brendan de Garis

However, the Russian government has said any suggestion of causes for the disaster are purely speculative.

Mrs Hope de Garis, who moved from Snodland to Halling earlier this year, said they travelled to the airport yesterday evening and check in only to watch their plane being towed from the runway.

They were then told all flights had been suspended and were taken to a hotel.

She said: "What was really scary was that we had heard from a fellow passenger one of the flights, either ours or the one to Luton, had a bomb on board.

"The longer it went on the more worrying it became. Our children back home know what is going on and are in tears."

She added a lot of her friends had warned her about the dangers of travelling to the area but she told them it would be fine, adding they are unlikely ever to go back.

A tearful Mr de Garis said: "I'm more upset for my children, I don't care about myself. I want to get home so I can protect them."

He added while he understood the government's decision he was disappointed with the blase attitude of the Egyptian authorities.

The decision came as Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, arrived in the UK for unrelated talks with David Cameron, while extra UK consular staff have been sent to the resort to support tourists.

Mr Hammond said the UK would do whatever necessary to bring back holidaymakers and added temporary improved security screening could be set up to allow this to happen.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More