Hijacked Airbus A320 carrying 118 passengers

Two hijackers have taken 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 departed from Sebha to Tripoli – Libya. Malta’s Prime Minister confirmed the hijacking on Twitter on December 23 and announced that security forces were ready to carry out the mission.

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

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

Some reports said there was only one hijacker on board. He claimed to be a supporter of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Maltese military monitors 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 that left 62 people dead when Egyptian commandos stormed the plane. Only one of the three hijackers survived and stood trial.

According to Laborer