Aqra bil- Malti
Update: 109 passengers were released from the Airbus of the Libyan airline Afriqiyah which landed in Malta at about 11.30 a.m. today in what Prime Minister Joseph Muscat described in a message on Twitter as being informed it could be a potential hijack, and with all emergency and security services on standby. We are informed that as a precautionary measure all zones close to the airport are completely closed off.
The aircraft landed in Malta at 11.32 a.m. It had left from Sebha in Libya at 10.10 a.m. en route to Tripoli, where it was scheduled to land at 11.20 a.m.
At about 1.45 p.m., two hours and ten minutes after the plane landed at Malta, the plane’s doors were opened and the first passengers, women and children, started emerging. In another development, at about 2.10 p.m. the first male passengers emerged and started walking towards a coach awaiting them a short distance from the aircraft.
In yet another development, at 2.50 p.m. one of the hijackers came out on the top step with a crutch in his hand and waving a green flag associated with Ghaddafi – a gesture described by political analysts as a political message.
There are 118 passengers on board the aircraft. Television Malta is informed that during the flight two persons allegedly threatened that they would blow up the aircraft.
In a later Tweet, the Prime Minister said it has been established that there are 111 passengers on the flight, being 82 males, 28 females and one child.
Meanwhile,tvm.com.mt is informed that negotiations with the hijackers are being handled by Armed Forces Commander, Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi and a team of negotiators.
In a statement issued a short while ago Malta International Airport confirmed that emergency teams are on site because of the developing situation at the airport. MIA is also informing passengers to follow the latest updates regarding other flights on its electronic site maltairport.com
The Office of the Prime Minister has confirmed that Government was informed a short while ago that an aircraft coming from Libya had landed in Malta. It added that from initial information available to Government, there appears to be a hijack threat on the aircraft.
The Prime Minister is at Castille in a meeting with the Security Committee in order to co-ordinate the situation.
A short while ago Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said he had been informed by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that an aircraft en route from Libya had landed in Malta, and that there appeared to be a hijack situation on board.
The Opposition leader assured the Prime Minister of full co-operation at this delicate moment for the country, and augured that the Government would do everything possible in the interests of the passengers and the country’s security.
Meanwhile Arab news sites are reporting that the Libyan Transport Minister is negotiating with the hijackers. And the Libyan President of the Council for National Unity has confirmed that the aircraft has been hijacked and has landed in Malta.
Regular updates to follow.
Informed of potential hijack situation of a #Libya internal flight diverted to #Malta. Security and emergency operations standing by -JM
— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) December 23, 2016
Following news of plane hijacking with grave concern. My full cooperation to Govt to protect #Malta security and the safety of passengers.
— Simon Busuttil (@SimonBusuttil) December 23, 2016
Informed of potential hijack situation of a #Libya internal flight diverted to #Malta. Security and emergency operations standing by -JM
— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) December 23, 2016
