A passenger plane has been hijacked during an internal flight between Alexandria to Cairo in Egypt, and there are reports of a bomb on board.
EgyptAir flight MSR181 is carrying 56 passengers on board and 7 crew members, and has now landed at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus.
Some of the women and children were allowed to get off the aircraft, according to Egyptian and Cypriot officials.
It’s believed that two men are the perpetrators, but their motives remain unknown.
https://twitter.com/scottcampbell/status/714713271857778695
The Civil Aviation Ministry said the pilot was threatened by a passenger who was wearing a suicide belt and threatened to detonate it.
The Cyprus state broadcaster said at least one hijacker was thought to be strapped with explosives. The hijacker contacted the control tower at 5.30am UK time, and the plane has since landed. As stated above, Egyptair are currently in negotiations with the hijackers.
Only four foreign passengers and the crew remain on the plane at present.
Our flight MS181 is officially hijacked. we'll publish an official statement now. #Egyptair
— EGYPTAIR (@EGYPTAIR) March 29, 2016
Update – Egyptair: negotiating with hijackers on flight #MS181 which landed in Cyprus after being diverted en route to Cairo from Alexandria
— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) March 29, 2016
#BREAKINGNEWS: According to @EgyptAir, 4 foreigners & crew remain on hijacked plane. pic.twitter.com/n9FXlzGYNs
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) March 29, 2016
