KINGSTON University staff have paid tribute to the former student who died when EgyptAir flight 804 crashed in a suspected terrorist attack last week.

Richard Osman was the only British citizen on the plane travelling from France to Egypt, which crashed with 66 people on board last Thursday.

Welsh-born Mr Osman studied at Kingston University from 1994 to 1997 and graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Geology. A spokeswoman for the university said staff were saddened to hear the news of Mr Osman’s death.

Emeritus professor of geography, geology and environment Andy Rankin remembered Mr Osman as a hard-working student.

He said: “Richard was bright and conscientious, with a particular interest in mineral deposits and exploration.”

In a statement Mr Osman’s family described him as “an admirable person who never deviated from the straight path”. They added that his job working for a gold mining company often took him to north Africa.

Speaking to ITV News Alastair Osman, who studies biochemistry in Swansea, said: “He would have been going to work. I know he works in both Egypt and another country in Africa.

“He’s been doing this for years in the gold mining industry. This was a regular trip. He used to do it at least once a month, year after year.”

Mystery still surrounds what brought down the Airbus a minute after it entered Egyptian airspace.

Members of an Egyptian investigation committee said the aircraft did not swerve before it disappeared from radar but early reports suggest a bomb smuggled on board could be to blame for the tragedy.

European deep-sea divers started searching for the black box on Wednesday.