British tourists stranded in Egypt have told of their fears and frustration, with one claiming airport security staff were more interested in playing with their phones than checking luggage.
Around 20,000 Britons are stuck in Sharm el-Sheikh after David Cameron grounded flights in both directions.
It follows concerns that the Russian jet which crashed on Saturday may have been brought down by a bomb smuggled through the Red Sea resort’s airport by terrorists linked to Islamic State.
Passengers today revealed their concerns over an apparent lack of rigorous security, with bags left unattended, disinterested staff apparently waving through bottles of liquid, and airside workers passing through unchecked.
I was shocked by the lack of airport security. The person manning the scanning machine was playing Candy Crush on his phone
<p>Tourist Verna McKeich</p>
Verna McKeich said: “I was shocked by the lack of airport security. The person manning the scanning machine was playing Candy Crush on his phone.
"Once we were through, my exact words to my husband were that ‘I hoped nobody on our flight has a bomb today’.”
Jamie Mattison, who flew to Sharm el-Sheikh last year, told of his dissatisfaction with security.
He said: “On our last visit the security official on the baggage scanner was too busy sleeping as opposed to looking at the bags going through the scanner.
"Since then we have decided never to return. Not a chance. Sharm airport is not up to global standards.”
Glynis May, who returned from Egypt two weeks ago, added: “We personally noticed quite a glaring security risk to do with hold baggage.”
Ellie Jackson, 20, a Roehampton University student, is due to fly back to Luton with Monarch on Saturday.
She said: “Obviously it’s a worry there could be a further terrorist attack but we just have to trust in the security services.
"People are increasingly worried. Its about how they will get home and how safe it will be to get home.”
Also stuck was West End actor Lewis Bradley, the brother of pop star Amelia Lily.
He wrote online: “This is really scary when u are stuck out here like I am! I’ve got the right hump.”
Paul Modley, 49, from Ealing, on holiday with his partner Tom Griffith and friend Kerry Beale, said of the flights being grounded: “We understand why the Government have done it, but I am really worried for the Egyptian people because — particularly in the Red Sea resorts — they are so dependent on tourism.”
