Iraqi Hijacker of Yemeni Plane Arrested

Published January 23rd, 2001 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

A hijacker of an internal Yemeni flight which landed in Djibouti has been arrested by the security forces there, according to agencies, which said that the US ambassador to Yemen was onboard the plane. 

The BBC radio reported Tuesday that the hijacker, who claimed he was an Iraqi, stormed the cockpit of the flight heading from Sana’a to Ta’az with a bag which he claimed was full of explosives and a remote control in his hand. He ordered the captain to change course for Baghdad, but the plane landed at Djibouti airport where most of the 91 passengers, including the diplomat, were able to flee the plane from the rear escape exits. 

Only four passengers and the crew couldn’t make it at that time, according to an eyewitness who was among those who left the plane. 

The BBC said that the authorities in Djibouti and the captain were negotiating with the kidnapper before he was arrested. He was described as a short dark-skinned man in his forties – Albawaba.com  

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