Egypt Air Plane Kidnap: The Continuation Of The Negotiations Larnaca
Egypt Air Plane Kidnap:
The Continuation Of The Negotiations Larnaca
Most of the passengers and crew who were on board a hijacked Egyptian plane diverted to Cyprus have been freed.
Cypriot officials have named as Sayf al-Din Mustafa. Reports say he wanted to speak to his estranged wife in Cyprus, Cypriot President says kidnapping is not a terrorist incident.
But others say it is demanding the release of women prisoners in Egypt.
He said Civil Aviation Minister Masri at a news conference that seven people remained on board.
He said Civil Aviation Minister Masri at a news conference that seven people remained on board.
Live updates:
Sharif Fathi identified them as pilot and co-pilot, adding female security
officer and three passengers, who declined to disclose the nationalities.
A statement from his ministry said the 26 foreigners originally on board included eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch citizens, two Belgians, two Greeks, a French national, an Italian and a Syrian. Three other foreigners could not be identified.
A statement from his ministry said the 26 foreigners originally on board included eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch citizens, two Belgians, two Greeks, a French national, an Italian and a Syrian. Three other foreigners could not be identified.
Fathi said the negotiations with the hijacker - who had made any specific
demands - is still ongoing, and it is unclear whether the hijacker had taken
the explosives on the plane or been tricked.
He said Mr. Fathi sent a plane to Larnaca to pick up passengers who were released.
He said Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said: "We do what we can for everyone to be released and are safe."
In response to a reporter's question about whether the motive behind the hijacker by the romance, he laughed and said: "There is always a woman involved."
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on unconfirmed reports the hijacker demanded to see his estranged wife
Egypt said Air Airbus A320 was carrying 56 passengers from Alexandria to Cairo, along with six crew members and a security official. He said earlier that 81 passengers were on board.
"The pilot said that one of the passengers told him that he had an explosive belt and forced the plane to land in Larnaca," the ministry said in a statement.
Larnaca airport on the southern coast of Cyprus, was closed and scheduled flights to convert anywhere else.
He said Mr. Fathi sent a plane to Larnaca to pick up passengers who were released.
He said Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said: "We do what we can for everyone to be released and are safe."
In response to a reporter's question about whether the motive behind the hijacker by the romance, he laughed and said: "There is always a woman involved."
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades on unconfirmed reports the hijacker demanded to see his estranged wife
Egypt said Air Airbus A320 was carrying 56 passengers from Alexandria to Cairo, along with six crew members and a security official. He said earlier that 81 passengers were on board.
"The pilot said that one of the passengers told him that he had an explosive belt and forced the plane to land in Larnaca," the ministry said in a statement.
Larnaca airport on the southern coast of Cyprus, was closed and scheduled flights to convert anywhere else.
EgyptAir Flight MS181, bound for Cairo, was forced to divert to Larnaca airport
in Cyprus
Another plane was sent to Larnaca from Egypt to pick up the stranded passengers
Police sealed off Larnaca airport, which has been closed to other flights
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