The hijacker of an Egyptian airline flight that was diverted to Cyprus has released all but seven passengers and members of the crew in what officials say was not terrorism but may have been motivated by a personal issue.
Negotiations are ongoing with the hijacker, Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathy Ateyya said during a press conference Tuesday.
According to yahoonews, Officials did not name the hijacker or provide the identities or nationalities of those on board but did say the captain, his co-pilot, a flight attendant, security guard and three passengers were among them.
The U.S. Embassy in Cyrus says it is looking into whether any U.S. citizens are involved.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said the incident was not terror-related.
“It’s not something which has to do with terrorism,” he said. An EgyptAir official declared that flight 181 heading from Borg El-Arab Airport in Alexandria to Cairo Airport was diverted to Larnaca airport in Cyprus as the aircraft was hijacked. The plane took off just before 6:30 a.m. local.
A statement from the Egyptian aviation authority said that flight 181 is an Airbus with 55 passengers aboard the flight in addition to crew members.
The aircraft landed safely at Larnaca at 7:50 a.m.
Passengers have been seen coming down the stairs from the plane and boarding a bus on the runway to be taken to the terminal.
An official with the Civil Aviation Authority told ABC News that not all the passengers have been allowed to leave the plane.
The airline confirms that it is following up with the authorities in Cyprus through EgyptAir and negotiations are ongoing with the hijacker.
So far, no one has claim responsibility for the hijacking.
