EgyptAir hijack: Full statement from airline on Airbus A320 hostage incident

Police stand guard at Larnaca Airport near a hijacked Egyptair Airbus A320 (Reuters)

An EgyptAir flight from Alexandria to Cairo has been hijacked and flown to Cyprus.

Here is the airline's latest statement in full:

An EGYPTAIR official declared that its flight number MS181 heading from HBE Airport (Borg El- Arab Airport in Alexandria) to Cairo Airport was already diverted to Larnaca airport in Cyprus as the aircraft was hijacked. The aircraft is an Airbus A320 with 56 pax onboard in addition to 7 crew members and one EGYPTAIR security member. The aircraft landed safely at Larnaca.

EGYPTAIR confirms that it is following up with the concerned authorities in Cyprus through EGYPTAIR IOCC and negotiations are undergoing with the highjacker.

EGYPTAIR will update you with any news within one hour.

UPDATE 2: Negotiations with the kidnapper has resulted in the release of all passengers except for the flight crew and four foreigners.