EgyptAir flight MS 804 that crashed in May saw smoke on board shortly before its crash, the investigation committee looking into the incident confirmed on Wednesday after examining the plane’s recovered data recorders.

“Recorded data is showing consistency with [distress signals sent from the flight indicating there was] smoke from the lavatory and avionics area,” the committee said in a statement.

The committee added that the front section from the wreckage of the plane, whose crash into the Mediterranean Sea killed all 66 people on board, showed “signs of high temperature damage and soot.”

Aviation Herald, a prominent Austria-based website specialising in air accidents, said in May that the airliner sent seven alarm messages indicating smoke on board minutes before disappearing.

The investigation committee said analysis will take place to identify the cause of the smoke.

The committee added that “the entire flight is recorded on the black box from the time it took off at Charles de Gaulle airport,” and that recording “stopped at an altitude of 37,000 feet” at the point of the crash.

Wednesday’s announcement comes after the black boxes arrived on Tuesday for inspection after undergoing repairs in France.

According to the committee, the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) is still undergoing repairs at the French aircraft accident investigation bureau.