An Egyptian plane on a flight between Alexandria and Cairo was hijacked and forced to land in Cyprus by a man apparently distressed over a family matter.
The hijacker, reported to be Seif Eldin Mustafan, was arrested after holding three passengers and four crew hostage for several hours at Larnaca airport.
Just before he surrendered at about 2pm local time, the remaining passengers were seen fleeing the Airbus 320.
Dramatic photographs showed one man climbing out of the cockpit window.
A man climbs out of the cockpit window an EgyptAir Airbus A-320 parked at the tarmac of Larnaca airport. Photo: AFP
Another three people were able to leave by the main door and walk down the steps.
Armed police had taken up positions behind Larnaca airport’s largely disused old terminal buildings as the four emerged.
