EgyptAir hijack: All hostages released from flight MS181 except four crew members and three 'foreigners'
The plane was carrying 56 passengers along with seven crew and one EgyptAir security officer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.All hostages on the hijacked EgyptAir plane are to be released with the exception of the flight crew and four non-Egyptian passengers.
Egypt's civil aviation minister says seven people remain with the hijacker on the EgyptAir plane that has landed in Cyprus, four crew and three passengers.
This domestic flight was hijacked en route to Cairo from Alexandria and was landed at Lanarca airport in Cyprus after a request by the pilots.
According to EgyptAir - Flight MS181 was carrying 56 passengers along with seven crew members and one EgyptAir security officer.
Aviation sources told Reuters, eight British nationals and ten Americans were onboard but is unknown how many of them have been released
Egyptian state media has named the hijacker as Ibrahim Samaha, stating he was sitting on seat 38K and is aged between 27 and 28 years old.
EgyptAir have said that the hijacker in possession of a "suicide vest".
While his motives are not yet known, some officials have said he has been seeking political asylum.
A Cypriot spokesman has said authorities "doubt the hijacker has any real explosives".
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments