This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8007546.stm
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 10 | Version 11 |
---|---|
Gunman holds up Jamaica aircraft | Gunman holds up Jamaica aircraft |
(21 minutes later) | |
A man has hijacked a passenger plane in the Jamaican resort of Montego Bay, and is still holding six crew members hostage, reports say. | A man has hijacked a passenger plane in the Jamaican resort of Montego Bay, and is still holding six crew members hostage, reports say. |
More than 150 passengers were on board when the man forced his way onto the Canada-bound plane demanding passage to Cuba. All were later released. | |
The man breached security and boarded as the plane was about to take off at around 2230 local time (0330 GMT). | The man breached security and boarded as the plane was about to take off at around 2230 local time (0330 GMT). |
Negotiations for the release of the hostages are said to be taking place. | Negotiations for the release of the hostages are said to be taking place. |
"The situation is ongoing," said airport spokeswoman Elizabeth Scotton, quoted by the Associated Press. | "The situation is ongoing," said airport spokeswoman Elizabeth Scotton, quoted by the Associated Press. |
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has taken charge of the situation and has been offering support to the passengers. | Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has taken charge of the situation and has been offering support to the passengers. |
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is also currently in Jamaica, on a one-day visit following the recent Summit of the Americas in Trinidad. | Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is also currently in Jamaica, on a one-day visit following the recent Summit of the Americas in Trinidad. |
'No-one hurt' | 'No-one hurt' |
The gunman reportedly checked in for the flight then forced his way past checkpoints and went on board brandishing a firearm. | The gunman reportedly checked in for the flight then forced his way past checkpoints and went on board brandishing a firearm. |
He is said to have robbed passengers, most of whom were released after half an hour. Unconfirmed reports say a shot was fired outside the aircraft, probably on the boarding bridge, but no-one was hit. | He is said to have robbed passengers, most of whom were released after half an hour. Unconfirmed reports say a shot was fired outside the aircraft, probably on the boarding bridge, but no-one was hit. |
Two of the passengers were held for several hours before being released, according to reports. | Two of the passengers were held for several hours before being released, according to reports. |
The charter airline that owns the Boeing 737 plane, CanJet, said 182 people were on board, including 169 passengers. | The charter airline that owns the Boeing 737 plane, CanJet, said 182 people were on board, including 169 passengers. |
"All passengers have been safely removed from the aircraft, but CanJet crew and the armed man remain on board," the airline said in a statement quoted by Reuters news agency. | "All passengers have been safely removed from the aircraft, but CanJet crew and the armed man remain on board," the airline said in a statement quoted by Reuters news agency. |
Officials said two of the crew had been released and six were still being held. | Officials said two of the crew had been released and six were still being held. |
Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz told CNN the gunman was Jamaican, a "mentally challenged youngster" who was demanding to be flown to Cuba. | Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz told CNN the gunman was Jamaican, a "mentally challenged youngster" who was demanding to be flown to Cuba. |
The aircraft was bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, but was due to stop in Santa Clara in Cuba on the way. | The aircraft was bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, but was due to stop in Santa Clara in Cuba on the way. |
Most passengers, all of whom are Canadian, were taken to a local hospital, some of them suffering from shock. | Most passengers, all of whom are Canadian, were taken to a local hospital, some of them suffering from shock. |
Police and security services have closed and cordoned off the airport and surrounded the plane. | Police and security services have closed and cordoned off the airport and surrounded the plane. |
Correspondents say security at Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport is normally very good. | Correspondents say security at Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport is normally very good. |
The airport, one of the most modern in the Caribbean, handles about four million passengers a year. | The airport, one of the most modern in the Caribbean, handles about four million passengers a year. |
Were you on board the plane or in the area at the time of the incident? Send us your comments or photos using the form below: | Were you on board the plane or in the area at the time of the incident? Send us your comments or photos using the form below: |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |