EgyptAir Hijacker Arrested But His Motives Remain a Mystery
The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation reported that 55 people were on board, with a crew of 7.
- An EgyptAir domestic flight MS 181 from Alexandria to Cairo was hijacked on Tuesday and diverted to Cyprus.
- Hijacker identified as Seif el Din Mustafa, has been arrested.
- Pilot was threatened with a suicide bomb belt.
- EgyptAir says it was an Airbus 320 aircraft carrying 81 passengers.
- Cyprus President says hijacking not related to “terrorism”.
- EgyptAir hijacker had demanded for women prisoners to be freed.
Hijacker’s Suicide Bomb Belt Was Fake: Aviation Ministry
Cypriot authorities have determined that the belt worn by an Egyptian man who hijacked an EgyptAir plane on Tuesday did not contain explosives, Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement.
“Security in Cyprus confirmed that the explosive belt worn by the man who hijacked the plane was fake,” it said.
Hijacker Surrenders
The suspected hijacker of an EgyptAir airliner surrendered to authorities at Larnaca airport in Cyprus, Cypriot authorities said.
The hijacker emerged from the aircraft with his hands in the air, state TV said.
“It’s over,” Cyprus’s foreign ministry said in a tweet.
The development was reported after at least three more people were seen leaving the aircraft, an Airbus 320.
Atleast three other people have left the EgyptAir aircraft hijacked this morning. Cypriot state media has reported that the man who hijacked the plane said was demanding the release of women prisoners in Egypt.
After the aircraft landed at Larnaca airport, the hijacker released everyone onboard except three passengers and four crew following negotiations, Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathy said.
He declined to give their nationalities.
Meanwhile, Cairo airport has delayed the departure of a New York-bound airplane due to security fears, said two security officials.
Hijacker Misidentified
Media reports have confirmed that the name of the hijacker is Seif el Din Mustafa and not Ibrahim Samaha, as reports claimed earlier.
He still has four crew members and three passengers captive. A photographer from Libya has tweeted a picture of the person.
EgyptAir Hijacker May Have Personal Motives
Cyprus broadcasting (CYBC) reported that the hijacker of an EgyptAir plane that was forced to land in Cyprus on Tuesday may have personal motives.
The hijacker had an ex-wife in Cyprus, CYBC said.
Witnesses said the hijacker threw a letter on the apron of the airport in Larnaca, written in Arabic, asking that it be delivered to his ex-wife, who is Cypriot.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades says Egypt plane hijacking not related to “terrorism.
Egyptian state TV identifies hijacker as Ibrahim Samaha, a professor of veterinary medicine at Alexandria University.
Negotiations with hijacker resulted in the release of all passengers except cabin crew and four foreigners, says EgyptAir in a statement.
Israel scrambled warplanes in its airspace as a precaution in response to the plane hijacking, according to an Israeli military source quoted by Reuters.
Cypriot official says Egypt plane hijackers allow women, children to leave; some are now disembarking, reports AP.
Passengers included eight Britons and 10 Americans, three security sources at Alexandria airport said.
Negotiations On
EgyptAir released a statement in Arabic saying negotiations were on with the lone hijacker.
First picture of hijacked EgyptAir aircraft released.
EgyptAir to Release Statement Soon
An EgyptAir domestic flight from Alexandria to Cairo was hijacked on Tuesday and landed in Cyprus, state radio said.
The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation reported that 55 people were on board along with a crew of 7.
At least one man was thought to be armed. The hijacking occurred in Cyprus’ flight information region and the airliner was diverted to Larnaca.
FlightRadar24 posted the latest flight path of the hijacked aircraft.
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