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Libya hijack: Stand-off at Malta International Airport | |
(35 minutes later) | |
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. | 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. | The Airbus A320 was flying inside Libya for Afriqiyah Airways when it was diverted. |
At least one man claiming to have a hand grenade threatened to blow up the plane, according to local reports. | At least one man claiming to have a hand grenade threatened to blow up the plane, according to local reports. |
Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that his country's security forces were standing by. | Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that his country's security forces were standing by. |
It is unclear what the demands are being made by the hijacker. Some media say there is more than one hijacker. | It is unclear what the demands are being made by the hijacker. Some media say there is more than one hijacker. |
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. | 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. |
Mr Muscat said on Twitter that the passengers list included 82 men, 28 women and one baby. | Mr Muscat said on Twitter that the passengers list included 82 men, 28 women and one baby. |
Col Al-Khayali said the plane had left Sebha's Tmenhant military airport at 11:05 local time for Tripoli. | |
"It was hijacked and investigations are continuing to establish how any explosives or weapons made it on board," he said. | |
He added that security at Tmenhant was poor, with a distance of 5km (3.1 miles) travel between the airport building and planes. | |
"That is an open space and it is possible that along that route something was smuggled on board," he said. | |
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". | 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. | 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. | In the meantime, Malta International Airport has been closed and all flights have been diverted. |
The airport said emergency teams had been dispatched. | The airport said emergency teams had been dispatched. |
Are you in the affected area? Get in touch and email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the affected area? Get in touch and email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
If you are available to talk to a BBC journalist, please include a telephone number. | If you are available to talk to a BBC journalist, please include a telephone number. |
Email your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, tweet them to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text +44 7624 800 100. | Email your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, tweet them to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text +44 7624 800 100. |
Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971. | Or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971. |
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