EgyptAir: Our flight MS 181 is officially hijacked

March 29, 2016 12:31

Unidentified men hijacked an EgyptAir flight MS 181 which was on its way from Alexandria to Cairo and diverted it to Cyprus, where it landed at Larnaca airport on the south coast, local police said.

The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation reported that 55 people were on board, with a crew of 7. There were earlier reports of about 80 to 81 people on board. The hijackers contacted the control tower at 8:30 am (0530 GMT) and the plane was given permission to land at 8:50 am, the police said. EgyptAir confirmed the hijacking on Twitter.

The hijackers made no immediate demands and a crisis team has been deployed to the airport. At least one man on board was thought to be armed, said Reuters. An unnamed official said a bomb is suspected on board, according to news agency Associated Press.

Cyprus media says a hijacker may be strapped with explosives.

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