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Libya hijack: Plane carrying 118 diverted to Malta Libya hijack: Malta forces surround plane carrying 118
(about 1 hour later)
A Libyan passenger plane with 118 people on board has been hijacked and forced to land in Malta, the airline Afriqiyah Airways has confirmed. A stand-off is under way at Malta International Airport where a Libyan jet carrying 118 people landed after being hijacked on a domestic route.
The Airbus A320 was flying inside Libya for Afriqiyah Airways when it was diverted, local media report. The Airbus A320 was flying inside Libya for Afriqiyah Airways when it was diverted.
There were two hijackers involved, who threatened to bomb the plane, according to initial reports. At least one man claiming to have a hand grenade threatened to blow up the plane, according to local reports.
Maltese PM Joseph Muscat said security forces were standing by. Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that his country's security forces were standing by.
Malta International Airport confirmed on Twitter that there had been an "unlawful interference" at the airport. It is unclear what the demands are being made by the hijacker. Some media say there is more than one hijacker.
It said emergency teams had been dispatched. The mayor of Sebha in Libya, Colonel Hamed Al-Khayali, told the BBC there were 111 passengers on board the flight plus seven crew members.
Darrin Zammit Lupi, a Reuters news agency photographer based in Malta, told the BBC he could see a number of soldiers and special forces vehicles at the scene. Mr Muscat said on Twitter that the passengers list included 82 men, 28 women and one baby.
Some flights to Malta are being diverted to the Italian island of Sicily. The deputy mayor for Lija in Malta, Madga Magri Naudi, told the BBC that paramedics and soldiers were standing by to see "what the next step is".
A special committee meeting was taking place to address the situation, she added.
In the meantime, Malta International Airport has been closed and all flights have been diverted.
The airport said emergency teams had been dispatched.
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