This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35915139
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 12 | Version 13 |
---|---|
EgyptAir hijack: Man surrenders at Larnaca airport | EgyptAir hijack: Man surrenders at Larnaca airport |
(35 minutes later) | |
The hijack of a domestic Egyptian flight that caused it to be diverted to Cyprus has ended with all hostages released and the hijacker surrendering. | |
EgyptAir Flight MS181 was taken over by a passenger claiming to be wearing a suicide explosive belt. | EgyptAir Flight MS181 was taken over by a passenger claiming to be wearing a suicide explosive belt. |
Airline officials later said they had been told by Cypriot authorities that the belt was fake. | |
The hijacker's motives remain unclear but the Cypriot president said the incident was not terrorism-related. | |
No-one was injured in the hijacking, Cypriot government spokesman Nikos Christodulides tweeted. | |
Live updates | Live updates |
After a morning of tension, the hijacker was seen walking down aircraft steps at Larnaca airport with his hands raised. | |
Some reports said the Egyptian man - named by Cypriot officials as Seif Eldin Mustafa - wanted to talk to his estranged Cypriot wife who lives on the Mediterranean island, while others said he was seeking the release of female prisoners in Egypt. | Some reports said the Egyptian man - named by Cypriot officials as Seif Eldin Mustafa - wanted to talk to his estranged Cypriot wife who lives on the Mediterranean island, while others said he was seeking the release of female prisoners in Egypt. |
The hijacker's surrender came shortly after several people were seen fleeing the aircraft. One - apparently a crew member - escaped by climbing out of the aircraft's cockpit window. | The hijacker's surrender came shortly after several people were seen fleeing the aircraft. One - apparently a crew member - escaped by climbing out of the aircraft's cockpit window. |
In a tweet, the Cypriot foreign ministry confirmed the end of the crisis: "It's over. The hijacker arrested." | In a tweet, the Cypriot foreign ministry confirmed the end of the crisis: "It's over. The hijacker arrested." |
Throughout the morning, people had been seen leaving the aircraft after appearing to have been released. | Throughout the morning, people had been seen leaving the aircraft after appearing to have been released. |
Local media reports said the hijacker had handed over a four-page letter in Arabic after the plane landed at Larnaca on Tuesday morning, and that later a woman thought to be his wife had arrived at the airport. | Local media reports said the hijacker had handed over a four-page letter in Arabic after the plane landed at Larnaca on Tuesday morning, and that later a woman thought to be his wife had arrived at the airport. |
Earlier, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades had responded to a reporter's question about whether the hijacker was motivated by romance, by laughing and saying: "Always there is a woman involved." | Earlier, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades had responded to a reporter's question about whether the hijacker was motivated by romance, by laughing and saying: "Always there is a woman involved." |
EgyptAir said the Airbus A320 was carrying 56 passengers from Alexandria to Cairo, along with six crew and a security official. It had initially said 81 passengers were on board. | EgyptAir said the Airbus A320 was carrying 56 passengers from Alexandria to Cairo, along with six crew and a security official. It had initially said 81 passengers were on board. |
A statement from Egypt's civil aviation ministry said 26 foreign passengers were on board, including eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch citizens, two Belgians, two Greeks, a French national, an Italian and a Syrian. | A statement from Egypt's civil aviation ministry said 26 foreign passengers were on board, including eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch citizens, two Belgians, two Greeks, a French national, an Italian and a Syrian. |
Larnaca airport, on the south coast of Cyprus, has been closed and scheduled flights diverted elsewhere. | Larnaca airport, on the south coast of Cyprus, has been closed and scheduled flights diverted elsewhere. |
Are you at Larnaca airport? Have you been you affected by this story? Email us: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you at Larnaca airport? Have you been you affected by this story? Email us: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |