News / North Africa

Hijacked Libyan plane lands in Malta

Friday, 23 December 2016 11:46 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 23 December 2016 3:49 PM ]

A hijacked Libyan Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320 stands on the runway at Malta Airport, December 23, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

A hijacked Libyan Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320 plane that was on a domestic flight has landed in the Malta Airport; the hijackers have surrendered.

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in a message posted on his official Twitter account that the two men left the aircraft and surrendered after releasing all the passengers and crew.

"Hijackers surrendered, searched and taken in custody," Muscat tweeted. The identity of the hijackers have not been announced.

In earlier Twitter posts, the Maltese premier said he had been alerted to a "potential hijack" of the plane.

"Informed of potential hijack situation of a #Libya internal flight diverted to #Malta. Security and emergency operations standing by -JM," the Maltese premier said in the post.

"The Afriqiyah flight from Sabha to Tripoli has been diverted and has landed in Malta. Security services coordinating operations," the message read.

The two hijackers, an Afriqiyah Airways source said, had threatened the cockpit with an explosive device. The source said it was probably a grenade. The hijackers forced the pilots to head for alta instead of landing at Tripoli's Mitiga airport.

It was not clear what the hijackers had demanded.

Maltese troops survey a hijacked Libyan Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320 on the runway at Malta Airport, December 23, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

The Malta International Airport tweeted, "MIA confirms there is an unlawful interference at the airport. Emergency teams dispatched."

Maltese government sources said there were 118 people, including seven crew, on board the plane.

People disembark from a hijacked Libyan Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320 on the runway at Malta Airport, December 23, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

Since 2011, Libya has been in chaos following an uprising that led to the ouster of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was later killed. NATO has also intervened in the conflict in the North African country.

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