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An Egyptian passenger plane has landed in Cyprus after being hijacked by a man wearing a suicide belt.
EgyptAir Flight 181 was on a scheduled journey from Alexandria to Cairo when it veered off course on Tuesday morning.
Sources told Reuters that British and Americans passengers were on board but it was unclear if they had been released or were among the four foreigners held hostage as negotiations continued.
Androulla Vassiliou, the Cypriot former European Commissioner for Education, wrote on Twitter that the plane landed at 8.50am local time (6.50am BST).
“Hijacked aircraft of Egypt Air with 82 passengers landed at Larnaca airport,” she wrote. “We are anxious to learn more.”
The number of people on board was later revised to 56 passengers, seven crew and a member of security staff in a statement from EgyptAir.
EgyptAir Flight 181 was on a scheduled journey from Alexandria to Cairo when it veered off course on Tuesday morning.
Sources told Reuters that British and Americans passengers were on board but it was unclear if they had been released or were among the four foreigners held hostage as negotiations continued.
Androulla Vassiliou, the Cypriot former European Commissioner for Education, wrote on Twitter that the plane landed at 8.50am local time (6.50am BST).
“Hijacked aircraft of Egypt Air with 82 passengers landed at Larnaca airport,” she wrote. “We are anxious to learn more.”
The number of people on board was later revised to 56 passengers, seven crew and a member of security staff in a statement from EgyptAir.