This is desperate stuff.
EgyptAir flight MSR181 may have landed at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus with some passengers allowed to leave, but the danger to innocent civilians is far from over.
The plane was carrying 56 passengers and 7 crew members. Women and children were allowed to leave, followed by other passengers, but reports suggest that crew members and five passengers are still on board.
EgyptAir confirms all passengers, except the crew & five foreigners, have now been released from the plane https://t.co/S4c19pL65q
— Alicia Melville-Smith (@alicia_ms) March 29, 2016
They are reportedly being held hostage by a hijacker identified as Ibrahim Samaha, although there are conflicting reports as to whether he is of Egyptian or Libyan nationality.
Acc to #Cyprus media, hijacker is of libyan origin and his ex-wife is being rushed to the airport..#EgyptAir doubts he has explosives on him
— Janine Louloudi (@janinel83) March 29, 2016
It now seems that the motive for the hijack may be motivated by personal issues of the individual, rather than political or ideological reasons. Various reports suggest Samaha is seeking asylum and wants to speak to his ex-wife.
We will of course keep you updated.
