Libyan plane hijackers surrendered; All 118 people onboard released

New Delhi: Hijackers have freed all 118 people onboard at the Libyan aircraft which was diverted to Malta where it landed earlier on Friday.

The hijackers, who have surrendered, were negotiating for asylum in Malta. They had earlier threatened to blow up the Airbus A320 with grenades.

A Libyan aircraft, according to international media reports, was hijacked by two people on Friday.

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat talking about the reports tweeted on Friday that he had received reports of a "potential hijack" of a Libyan plane which was heading towards Malta.

https://twitter.com/JosephMuscat_JM/status/812245368691888129

According the reports, the plane, with 118 onboard which also included seven crew members, landed in Malta at 11.32 am (local time).

https://twitter.com/JosephMuscat_JM/status/812245368691888129

The hijacked plane, reportedly flight number 8U209 of Afriqiyah Airways, left Sabha in South West Libya and was scheduled to arrive in Tripoli at 11.20 am. After being hijacked, however, the plne was diverted to the island of Malta.

The hijackers have threatened to blow up the plane while all the emergency teams have been sent to the site.

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