The hijacker who ordered an EgyptAir Airbus 320 to fly to Cyprus has released nearly all of the 81 passengers. The man, identified by some media outlets as Ibrahim Samaha, allegedly asked Cypriot authorities to help him deliver a message to his ex wife, who is Cypriot.
Samaha diverted the Alexandria to Cairo flight apparently using a suicide vest as a threat. The plane landed safely in Larnaca, and was surrounded by police. The hijacker allowed all passengers, except for five foreign citizens, to leave the plane. He also ordered the crew to remain on board.
Cypriot and Egyptian authorities are in close contact over the crisis. Egypt saw a series of Islamist terror attacks, including the downing of a Russian passenger plane recently.