Traces of explosives have been found on the bodies from an EgyptAir plane that crashed into the Mediterranean, suggesting a bombing, The Independent reports.

All 66 people on board flight MS804 were killed when it went down during its flight from Paris to Cairo in May.

Egypt's Civil Aviation Ministry said a criminal investigation would now begin into the disaster, which is expected to look into the possibility of a bomb being planted on board.

Data from the Airbus A320's black boxes previously suggested a fire just behind the flight deck, with indications of heat and thick black smoke.

The crew did not make a distress call and radar data suggested the plane veered sharply before hitting the water.

French authorities said there was no evidence the disaster was terror-related following an initial manslaughter investigation in June.