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 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| EgyptAir hijack: Larnaca hijacking 'not terrorism' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Most of the passengers on board a hijacked Egyptian airliner that was forced to divert to Cyprus have been freed, the airline says. | Most of the passengers on board a hijacked Egyptian airliner that was forced to divert to Cyprus have been freed, the airline says. |
| EgyptAir Flight MS181 was taken over after a passenger said he was wearing an explosives belt. | EgyptAir Flight MS181 was taken over after a passenger said he was wearing an explosives belt. |
| Reports say the lone hijacker wants to talk to his estranged Cypriot wife, who is now on the way to the airport. | |
| Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades told reporters the hijack was not a terrorist incident. | |
| "We are doing our upmost in order for everyone to be released and safe," he added. | |
| In response to a reporter's question about whether the hijacker was motivated by romance, he laughed and said: "Always there is a woman involved." | |
| Live updates | Live updates |
| EgyptAir said negotiations at Larnaca airport had resulted in the release of all those on board, apart from the crew and four foreign passengers. | |
| More people have subsequently been seen leaving the aircraft. It remains unclear precisely how many people are still on board. | |
| EgyptAir said the Airbus A320 was carrying 81 passengers from Alexandria to Cairo. | EgyptAir said the Airbus A320 was carrying 81 passengers from Alexandria to Cairo. |
| A senior Alexandria airport official said those on board the flight when it took off included eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch, two Belgians, one Italian and 30 Egyptians. | A senior Alexandria airport official said those on board the flight when it took off included eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch, two Belgians, one Italian and 30 Egyptians. |
| "The pilot said that a passenger told him he had an explosives vest and forced the plane to land in Larnaca," the Egyptian civil aviation ministry said in a statement. | "The pilot said that a passenger told him he had an explosives vest and forced the plane to land in Larnaca," the Egyptian civil aviation ministry said in a statement. |
| 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 |