SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt >> A Russian aircraft carrying 224 people, including 17 children, crashed Saturday in a remote mountainous region in the Sinai Peninsula about 20 minutes after taking off from a Red Sea resort popular with Russian tourists, the Egyptian government said. There were no survivors.

According to Adel Mahgoub, chairman of the state company that runs Egypt’s civilian airports, except for three Ukrainian passengers, everyone on board was Russian. An Egyptian Cabinet statement said the 217 passengers were 138 women, 62 men and 17 children. There were seven crew members aboard the 18-year-old Airbus 321-200.

A senior aviation official said the pilot had radioed that the aircraft was experiencing technical problems shortly before air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane.

The Russian Embassy in Cairo said on its Twitter account that there were no survivors. Russian investigators were searching the Moscow offices of Metrojet, the company that owned the plane chartered by St. Petersburg-based Brisco tour agency.

Most of the bodies recovered so far from the crash site were burned, said Egyptian military and security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. They said military rescue and search teams walked four kilometers (2.4 miles) on rugged terrain to reach the site.

A civil aviation ministry statement said the plane’s wreckage was found in the Hassana area some 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of the city of el-Arish, in the general area in northern Sinai where Egyptian security forces have for years battled a burgeoning Islamic militant insurgency which is now led by a local affiliate of the extremist Islamic State group.

It said the plane took off from Sharm el-Sheikh shortly before 6 a.m. for St. Petersburg in Russia and disappeared from radar screens 23 minutes after takeoff. Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail briefly toured the crash site before he went to the Red Sea city of Suez where some of the victims’ bodies were being taken before they are sent on to Cairo, the Cabinet statement said.

Friends and relatives of the victims were gathering at a hotel near St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport. Psychologists were meeting with them in a large conference room off the lobby and police kept journalists away. Some left the room occasionally, looking drawn with tear-stained faces.

Yulia Zaitseva said her friends, newlywed couple Elena Rodina and Alexqander Krotov, were on the flight. Both were 33.

Zaitseva said Rodina, her friend for 20 years, “really wanted to go to Egypt, though I told her ‘why the hell do you want to go to Egypt?’”

“She was a very good friend who was ready to give everything to other people. To lose such a friend is like having your hand cut off,” Zaitseva said, adding that Rodina’s parents feel “like their lives are over.”

Russian airlines became infamous for poor safety in the early years following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, which brought severe financial troubles and regulatory disorder. Although accidents have diminished in recent years, crashes persist, many of them blamed on human error.

The Egyptian officials said the aircraft was cruising at 36,000 feet (about 11,000 meters) when contact with air traffic controllers was lost.

Although details of what caused the crash were unclear and the pilot reported technical difficulties, the Islamic State group sought to claim responsibility for bringing the plane down. They offered no evidence at all and are not known to have the capability to do so.

Militants in northern Sinai have not to date shot down commercial airliners or fighter jets. There have been media reports that they have acquired Russian shoulder-fired, anti-aircraft missiles. But these types of missiles can only be effective against low-flying aircraft or helicopters.

In January 2014, Sinai-based militants claimed to have shot down a military helicopter; Egyptian officials at the time acknowledged the helicopter had crashed, but gave no reason.

According to Russian news agencies, the Russian airliner was a charter flight under contract with the St. Petersburg-based Brisco tour company. The plane was made in 1997 and has since 2012 been operated by Metrojet, a Moscow-based airline.

Officers from Russia’s top investigative body are conducting searches and questioning employees at Metrojet’s Moscow offices and the St. Petersburg tour agency that had contracted the flight. Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said investigators are also taking samples of fuel from the airport in the Russian city of Samara where the plane took on fuel Friday before heading to Sharm-al-Sheikh.

Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Hossam Kamal said an investigative team has arrived at the crash site to examine the debris and locate the flight’s recorders, or the “black box.”

Earlier in the day, an Egyptian official with the government’s Aviation Incidents Committee told local media that the plane had briefly lost contact but was safely in Turkish airspace.

Later, the same official, Ayman al-Muqadem, said the plane had crashed and that the pilot, before losing contact, had radioed that the aircraft was experiencing technical problems and that he intended to try and land at the nearest airport. It was not immediately possible to independently confirm that technical problems caused the plane to crash.

Mahgoub said the aircraft had successfully undergone technical checks while at Sharm el-Sheikh’s airport. A technical committee from the company was headed to Sharm el-Sheikh to collect security camera footage of the plane while it sat at the airport, including operations to supply it with fuel and passenger meals as well security checks, he said.

The aircraft had overnighted at Sharm el-Sheikh’s airport, according to the Cabinet statement.

Roughly three million Russian tourists, or nearly a third of all visitors in 2014, come to Egypt every year, mostly to Red Sea resorts in Sinai or in mainland Egypt.

“It is too premature to detect the impact this will have on tourism. We need to know what happened first,” Tourism Ministry spokeswoman Rasha Azazi told The Associated Press.

There was no sign of anything unusual at Sharm el-Sheikh’s airport just hours after news of the disaster broke. Hundreds of holidaymakers, mostly from Europe and the Middle East, were arriving and departing. Flights in the afternoon were leaving at the rate of four to five per hour, with lines for international check-in spilling out the main gates.

“We were here for a week and had a great time, we only heard about the crash as we arrived at the airport,” said Emily Bell, 21, from Portsmouth, England. “We enjoyed the beach and the nightlife.”

___

Kennedy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Nour Youssef in Cairo, Irina Titova in St. Petersburg and James Heintz in Moscow contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the Egyptian prime minister’s first name is Sherif, not Seherif.

ONTARIO >> A 22-year-old Ontario man was arrested late Thursday on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and driving drunk after a fatal collision between his Kia Optima and a 24-year-old man driving a scooter, police said Friday.

Shortly before 11:30 p.m. Jesus Chavez Salas, of Ontario was pronounced dead at Kaiser Permanente in Ontario.

At around 11 p.m., he had stopped his scooter at a red stop signal on the westbound lane of Mission Boulevard, according to Ontario Police. As the signal turned green, the Optima driven by Joseph Terrones — which was also driving in the same lane — allegedly struck the scooter from behind.

In a news release, police said it was uncertain whether Terrones made any attempt to avoid to the motorcyclist.

At the scene, he was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested, police said, adding that he was not hurt.

He was booked into West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. He’s being held in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Officer Eric Ericson at 909-395-2828.

ONTARIO >> A 22-year-old Ontario man was arrested late Thursday on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and driving drunk after a fatal collision between his Kia Optima and a 24-year-old man driving a scooter, police said Friday.

Shortly before 11:30 p.m. Jesus Chavez Salas, of Ontario was pronounced dead at Kaiser Permanente in Ontario.

At around 11 p.m., he had stopped his scooter at a red stop signal on the westbound lane of Mission Boulevard, according to Ontario Police. As the signal turned green, the Optima driven by Joseph Terrones — which was also driving in the same lane — allegedly struck the scooter from behind.

In a news release, police said it was uncertain whether Terrones made any attempt to avoid to the motorcyclist.

At the scene, he was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested, police said, adding that he was not hurt.

He was booked into West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. He’s being held in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Officer Eric Ericson at 909-395-2828.

A 20-year-old man died Friday in a high-speed rollover crash on the southbound 5 Freeway that propelled him onto a 20-foot-tall freeway sign, authorities said.

The crash that killed Burbank resident Richard Pananian happened about 7 a.m. near Colorado Boulevard and the 134 Freeway interchange.

Pananian, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected when his Ford compact collided with another vehicle and rolled over several times, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The momentum flung him 20 to 30 feet in the air onto the walkway of the Colorado Boulevard freeway sign.

Authorities covered the body, which remained there for about three hours. About 10 a.m., the CHP closed the freeway for around 20 minutes in both directions while firefighters removed the body.

“Driving at a high rate of speed, not wearing (a) seatbelt, and rolling over … people get ejected out of cars like that,” CHP Officer Edgar Figueroa said.

A 20-year-old man died Friday in a high-speed rollover crash on the southbound 5 Freeway that propelled him onto a 20-foot-tall freeway sign, authorities said.

The crash that killed Burbank resident Richard Pananian happened about 7 a.m. near Colorado Boulevard and the 134 Freeway interchange.

Pananian, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected when his Ford compact collided with another vehicle and rolled over several times, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The momentum flung him 20 to 30 feet in the air onto the walkway of the Colorado Boulevard freeway sign.

Authorities covered the body, which remained there for about three hours. About 10 a.m., the CHP closed the freeway for around 20 minutes in both directions while firefighters removed the body.

“Driving at a high rate of speed, not wearing (a) seatbelt, and rolling over … people get ejected out of cars like that,” CHP Officer Edgar Figueroa said.

STILLWATER, Okla. >> Police have revealed the identities of the three adults killed and dozens more injured when a woman plowed her car into the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade crowd, sending some spectators flying through the air and children’s shoes strewn around the site.

The crash also killed a 2-year-old boy and hurt other children during what was supposed to be a joyful event Saturday morning in Stillwater. Police arrested the driver, 25-year-old Adacia Chambers, on a DUI charge and are awaiting blood test results to determine if she was impaired by drugs or alcohol.

• Photos: Oklahoma State homecoming parade crash

After seeing the crash and surveying the street still strewn with lawn chairs, blankets and water bottles Saturday afternoon, Dan Whitmore said he had changed his mind about attending the homecoming game.

“You look at the carnage alone. (Someone) had a little baby stroller crushed up. It’s disgusting,” said Whitmire, who was visiting his daughter from Dallas.

Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis said there was discussion about canceling the homecoming game against Kansas, but that it was played as scheduled. The victims were remembered with a moment of silence before kickoff, and most of the OSU players knelt on the sideline in prayer.

Early Sunday, police identified the three adults who were killed at the scene, but declined to name of the 2-year-old boy who later died at a hospital and other minors who were hurt.

Capt. Kyle Gibbs said 23-year-old Nakita Prabhakar Nakal, a student at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond was killed in the crash, along with Bonnie Jean Stone and Marvin Lyle Stone, both 65 and of Stillwater. Another 47 people were injured in the collision, including five who remained in critical condition early Sunday, Gibbs said.

“I don’t know if they’re expected to pull through or not, we’re crossing our fingers at this point,” that they will survive, Griggs said.

Chambers, a Stillwater resident, remained jailed Sunday and could make her initial court appearance Monday, Gibbs said.

Chambers’ Hyundai Elantra struck an unoccupied motorcycle of an officer who was working security at the parade, then went into the crowd, according to Gibbs.

Gibbs said investigators are going through four to five dozen witness statements and may approach the district attorney Monday to discuss formal charges.

“Our investigators are going as fast as they can to collect statements from witnesses.”

One spectator, Konda Walker, from Anchorage, Alaska, told the Stillwater News Press that some people initially thought the crash was part of the show.

“People were flying 30 feet into the air like rag dolls,” Walker said.

Chambers’ father, Floyd Chambers of Oologah, told The Oklahoman newspaper he couldn’t believe his daughter was involved and said she was not an alcoholic. He described her as “timid” and said she had attended homecoming festivities Friday night with family but that her boyfriend had told him she was home by 10 p.m.

“This is just not who she is. They’re going to paint her into a horrible person but this is not (her),” Floyd Chambers told the paper.

A woman who answered a call to a phone number listed for Floyd Chambers told The Associated Press no one was available to talk.

It’s not the first tragedy to strike events connected to Oklahoma State sports programs. Ten people, including two OSU men’s basketball players, were killed in a 2001 plane crash while returning from a game in Colorado. And Oklahoma State women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant Miranda Serna were among four killed in a plane crash in Arkansas in 2011 while on a recruiting trip.

“The families, I know, and these victims will never be able to understand this, nor will we,” Hargis said. “But the Cowboy family pulls together. Unfortunately we’ve had to do it before and we’re going to do it again.”

Associated Press writer Ken Miller in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.

STILLWATER, Okla. >> Police have revealed the identities of the three adults killed and dozens more injured when a woman plowed her car into the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade crowd, sending some spectators flying through the air and children’s shoes strewn around the site.

The crash also killed a 2-year-old boy and hurt other children during what was supposed to be a joyful event Saturday morning in Stillwater. Police arrested the driver, 25-year-old Adacia Chambers, on a DUI charge and are awaiting blood test results to determine if she was impaired by drugs or alcohol.

• Photos: Oklahoma State homecoming parade crash

After seeing the crash and surveying the street still strewn with lawn chairs, blankets and water bottles Saturday afternoon, Dan Whitmore said he had changed his mind about attending the homecoming game.

“You look at the carnage alone. (Someone) had a little baby stroller crushed up. It’s disgusting,” said Whitmire, who was visiting his daughter from Dallas.

Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis said there was discussion about canceling the homecoming game against Kansas, but that it was played as scheduled. The victims were remembered with a moment of silence before kickoff, and most of the OSU players knelt on the sideline in prayer.

Early Sunday, police identified the three adults who were killed at the scene, but declined to name of the 2-year-old boy who later died at a hospital and other minors who were hurt.

Capt. Kyle Gibbs said 23-year-old Nakita Prabhakar Nakal, a student at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond was killed in the crash, along with Bonnie Jean Stone and Marvin Lyle Stone, both 65 and of Stillwater. Another 47 people were injured in the collision, including five who remained in critical condition early Sunday, Gibbs said.

“I don’t know if they’re expected to pull through or not, we’re crossing our fingers at this point,” that they will survive, Griggs said.

Chambers, a Stillwater resident, remained jailed Sunday and could make her initial court appearance Monday, Gibbs said.

Chambers’ Hyundai Elantra struck an unoccupied motorcycle of an officer who was working security at the parade, then went into the crowd, according to Gibbs.

Gibbs said investigators are going through four to five dozen witness statements and may approach the district attorney Monday to discuss formal charges.

“Our investigators are going as fast as they can to collect statements from witnesses.”

One spectator, Konda Walker, from Anchorage, Alaska, told the Stillwater News Press that some people initially thought the crash was part of the show.

“People were flying 30 feet into the air like rag dolls,” Walker said.

Chambers’ father, Floyd Chambers of Oologah, told The Oklahoman newspaper he couldn’t believe his daughter was involved and said she was not an alcoholic. He described her as “timid” and said she had attended homecoming festivities Friday night with family but that her boyfriend had told him she was home by 10 p.m.

“This is just not who she is. They’re going to paint her into a horrible person but this is not (her),” Floyd Chambers told the paper.

A woman who answered a call to a phone number listed for Floyd Chambers told The Associated Press no one was available to talk.

It’s not the first tragedy to strike events connected to Oklahoma State sports programs. Ten people, including two OSU men’s basketball players, were killed in a 2001 plane crash while returning from a game in Colorado. And Oklahoma State women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant Miranda Serna were among four killed in a plane crash in Arkansas in 2011 while on a recruiting trip.

“The families, I know, and these victims will never be able to understand this, nor will we,” Hargis said. “But the Cowboy family pulls together. Unfortunately we’ve had to do it before and we’re going to do it again.”

Associated Press writer Ken Miller in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.

STILLWATER, Okla. >> A woman suspected of driving under the influence plowed into a crowd Saturday during the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade, killing four people — including a toddler — and injuring dozens more in a collision that sent some spectators flying through the air.

Stillwater police Capt. Kyle Gibbs said the woman’s Hyundai Elantra struck an unoccupied motorcycle of an officer who was working security at the parade, then went into the crowd. She was taken into custody, and Gibbs said investigators were awaiting the results of blood tests to determine if she was impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Oklahoma University Medical Center and The Children’s Hospital announced in a statement Saturday night that a 2-year-old was the fourth person to die from injuries suffered in the morning crash. Five children and three adults remained hospitalized with conditions ranging from good to critical, officials said. Gibbs had said earlier that 34 people were taken to the hospital.

• Photos: Oklahoma State homecoming parade crash

Police said Adacia Chambers, 25, of Stillwater, was arrested on the DUI charge.

“We treat these like we would any homicide investigation,” Gibbs said. “It’ll probably take several days to get additional information as to the cause of the accident.”

Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis said the homecoming game against Kansas would be played Saturday afternoon.

Dave Kapple of Houston told the Stillwater News Press that he and his son were about 10 feet away when they saw the vehicle barreling into the crowd.

“We heard somebody scream, ‘Look out!.’ (The driver) plowed through a police motorcycle, and then a crowd of people,” Kapple said. “People were flying everywhere.”

Konda Walker, from Anchorage, Alaska, was attending the festivities ahead of the homecoming game.

“At first we thought it was part of the show,” Walker told the News Press. “People were flying 30 feet into the air like rag dolls.”

Phone calls to Oklahoma State officials were not immediately returned.

The university posted on Twitter: “Oklahoma State University is saddened by the tragic parade incident earlier this morning. Our thoughts & prayers are with those affected.”

PARIS >> At least 40 people, mostly elderly tourists starting off on a day trip, were killed Friday when a bus and truck collided on a country road in wine country in southwest France, officials said.

The cause and circumstances of the crash — near the village of Puisseguin, about 50 kilometers east of Bordeaux — were unclear. Scores of emergency workers rushed to the scene.

The death toll may have been so unusually high because the bus caught fire, an official with the national gendarme service said. The official was not authorized to be publicly named.

French President Francois Hollande, on a visit to Greece, said the government was “totally mobilized” to help after what he called a “terrible accident.”

The bus was carrying mostly elderly people from nearby towns on a one-day tourist trip to another site in southwest France, and had just left when it collided with the truck, legislator Gilles Savary said on BFM television. He called it one of the deadliest accidents in recent years.

French media reports said some people managed to escape, notably by breaking windows.

The weather in the region was overcast Friday morning but not rainy.