Passengers freed as EgyptAir hijacker surrenders to police

EgyptAir flight MS181 was hijacked this morning by a passenger claiming to have an explosive jacket

The hijacking of an EgyptAir flight forced to land at Larnaca airport in Cyprus has ended peacefully with all hostages released and the hijacker surrendering.

A number of passengers and crew had earlier been freed from a hijacked plane has sat on the runway at the airport.

EgyptAir flight MS181, an Airbus A320 carrying 56 passengers, had been on route from Alexandria to Cairo when it was hijacked.

A passenger on board told crew he was wearing an explosives belt, forcing the plane to divert Larnaca airport on the south coast of Cyprus.

Cypriot officials have named the hijacker as Seif Eldin Mustafa.

Reports suggest his demands include a chance to see his estranged wife in Cyprus.

The Cypriot president has added the hijack is not a terrorist incident.

It is believed seven people remained on board the jet at the time of the hijacker’s arrest, following a number of releases earlier.

The pilot, the co-pilot, a female stewardess, a security officer and three passengers whose nationalities he refused to divulge were believed to be on board.

A statement from the civil aviation ministry said 26 foreigners were originally on board.

These included eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch citizens, two Belgians, two Greeks, a French national, an Italian and a Syrian.

Three other foreigners could not be identified.

Larnaca airport has been closed and scheduled flights diverted elsewhere.