Hijackers seized an Airbus A320 carrying 118 passengers.

Two hijackers seized control of an Afriqiyah Airways plane in Libya, forcing the Airbus A320 to divert to Malta.

RT reported today that the plane was carrying 118 people, including 7 crew members. The flight originated in Sebha and was bound for Tripoli, Libya. The Prime Minister of Malta confirmed the hijacking on Twitter on December 23rd and announced that security forces were ready for duty.

The hijackers threatened to blow up the plane. The Times of Malta reported that one of the suspects had a grenade. They have not yet given any demands.

The plane landed at Malta International Airport and is now surrounded by special forces.

Some reports indicate there was only one hijacker on board. He identified himself as a supporter of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Maltese troops are tracking the hijacked plane at Malta International Airport. Photo: REUTERS

The most recent recorded hijacking in Malta was on November 23, 1985, when an EgyptAir Boeing 737 was diverted to the island.

What followed was a 24-hour nightmare that ended in a bloody massacre, killing 62 people when Egyptian commandos stormed the plane. Only one of the three hijackers survived and stood trial.

According to The Laborer