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Publish date29 Mar 2016 - 13:33
Story Code : 226141

Egypt jet with 55 people aboard hijacked

An Egypt Air domestic flight from Alexandria to Cairo has been hijacked and landed in Cyprus's Larnaca airport, state radio says.
Egypt jet with 55 people aboard hijacked
The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation said 55 people were on board on Tuesday, including seven crew. Sources said the plane was an Airbus 320.

At least one man was thought to be armed. The hijacking occurred in Cyprus's flight information region and the airliner was diverted to Larnaca.


Cyprus police said the hijacker contacted the control tower at 8:30 am (0530 GMT) and

the plane was given permission to land at 8:50 am.
The man reportedly threatened the captain, saying he was wearing an explosive vest.
Egypt Air said the hijacker freed all on board except four foreigners and crew. He made no immediate demands.

The state news agency MENA said the hijacker is an Egyptian national called Ibrahim Samaha. He was sitting on seat K38, it said, without giving further details.

The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation said the man has an ex-wife in Cyprus and may have personal motives.

Witnesses said the hijacker threw a letter on the apron of the airport, written in Arabic, asking that it be delivered to his Cypriot ex-wife.

Larnaca Airport has been closed and ambulances have been sent to the scene.

/SR
 
https://taghribnews.com/vdcfjvd0yw6d0ya.r7iw.html
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