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Jamaica plane hijacker surrenders | Jamaica plane hijacker surrenders |
(1 day later) | |
A gunman who hijacked a passenger plane in Montego Bay, Jamaica, has surrendered after police and soldiers boarded the jet, say officials. | A gunman who hijacked a passenger plane in Montego Bay, Jamaica, has surrendered after police and soldiers boarded the jet, say officials. |
Six crew members held hostage by the man were released unharmed. | Six crew members held hostage by the man were released unharmed. |
More than 150 passengers were on board when the man forced his way onto the Canada-bound plane demanding passage to Cuba, but were released within hours. | More than 150 passengers were on board when the man forced his way onto the Canada-bound plane demanding passage to Cuba, but were released within hours. |
The hijacker, believed to be a 20-year-old local man, was described by the authorities as "troubled". | The hijacker, believed to be a 20-year-old local man, was described by the authorities as "troubled". |
Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz told the BBC the incident had ended "without any injuries or harm". | Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz told the BBC the incident had ended "without any injuries or harm". |
He said the authorities had been "getting nowhere with the negotiations" with the hijacker. | He said the authorities had been "getting nowhere with the negotiations" with the hijacker. |
"Police and military went on the plane and captured him," he said. | "Police and military went on the plane and captured him," he said. |
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding flew in to Montego Bay and offered support to the passengers. | Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding flew in to Montego Bay and offered support to the passengers. |
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, currently in Jamaica on a one-day visit following the recent Summit of the Americas in Trinidad, telephoned Mr Golding to congratulate him "for the successful resolution", his spokesman said. | Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, currently in Jamaica on a one-day visit following the recent Summit of the Americas in Trinidad, telephoned Mr Golding to congratulate him "for the successful resolution", his spokesman said. |
'No-one hurt' | 'No-one hurt' |
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. |
Jamaican minister Daryl Vaz: 'Gunman is a Jamaican national' | Jamaican minister Daryl Vaz: 'Gunman is a Jamaican national' |
The gunman reportedly checked in for the flight then forced his way past checkpoints and went on board around 2230 local time (0330 GMT), brandishing a firearm. | The gunman reportedly checked in for the flight then forced his way past checkpoints and went on board around 2230 local time (0330 GMT), brandishing a firearm. |
He is said to have robbed passengers, most of whom were released after half an hour. | He is said to have robbed passengers, most of whom were released after half an hour. |
Police and security services closed and cordoned off the airport and surrounded the plane as the situation developed. | Police and security services closed and cordoned off the airport and surrounded the plane as the situation developed. |
The charter airline that owns the Boeing 737 plane, CanJet, said 182 people, including 174 passengers, were due to travel on the flight. | The charter airline that owns the Boeing 737 plane, CanJet, said 182 people, including 174 passengers, were due to travel on the flight. |
But reports said only 159 passengers had been on board when the incident began. | But reports said only 159 passengers had been on board when the incident began. |
CanJet's Vice-President and General Manager, Ken Woodside, told an earlier news conference that a shot may have been fired outside the aircraft, but no-one was hit. | CanJet's Vice-President and General Manager, Ken Woodside, told an earlier news conference that a shot may have been fired outside the aircraft, 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. |
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. |
The parents of Christian Gosselin, a passenger on the flight, said he had telephoned them and appeared "very shaken up and calm at the same time". | The parents of Christian Gosselin, a passenger on the flight, said he had telephoned them and appeared "very shaken up and calm at the same time". |
"Passengers were asked to give out all their money," Mr Gosselin's father, Alphonse, told Canada's CBC news channel. | "Passengers were asked to give out all their money," Mr Gosselin's father, Alphonse, told Canada's CBC news channel. |
"[Christian] told his girlfriend to hide their passports in her back pocket, and also their credit cards," he said. | "[Christian] told his girlfriend to hide their passports in her back pocket, and also their credit cards," he said. |
Mr Vaz told the BBC the authorities had not yet been able to establish how the armed man managed to pass security. | Mr Vaz told the BBC the authorities had not yet been able to establish how the armed man managed to pass security. |
He said an investigation had been started and would be "pursued vigorously" so the authorities could identity security breaches. | He said an investigation had been started and would be "pursued vigorously" so the authorities could identity security breaches. |
Mr Vaz has described the hijacker as a "mentally challenged youngster" who was demanding to be flown to Cuba. | Mr Vaz has described the hijacker as a "mentally challenged youngster" who was demanding to be flown to Cuba. |
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 |