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Gunman holds up Jamaica aircraft Gunman holds up Jamaica aircraft
(20 minutes later)
A man has hijacked a passenger plane in the Jamaican resort of Montego Bay, and is still holding several crew members hostage, reports say. A man has hijacked a passenger plane in the Jamaican resort of Montego Bay, and is still holding five crew members hostage, reports say.
More than 150 passengers were on board when the man forced his way on board the Canada-bound charter plane but all have now been released.More than 150 passengers were on board when the man forced his way on board the Canada-bound charter plane but all have now been 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 is on his way to Montego Bay to take charge of the situation.
'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. A shot was reportedly fired but no-one was hit.He is said to have robbed passengers, most of whom were released after half an hour. A shot was reportedly fired 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 airline that chartered the plane, CanJet, said 182 people were on board, including 169 passengers. The charter airline that owns the 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.
"Our understanding is that no harm has come to anyone remaining on board." Information Minister Daryl Vaz said two of the crew had been released and five were still being held.
He told CNN the gunman was Jamaican, a "mentally challenged youngster" who was demanding to be flown to Cuba.
Most passengers were taken to a local hospital, some of them suffering from shock.Most passengers were taken to a local hospital, some of them suffering from shock.
It is not clear what the gunman's demands are.
Police and security services have cordoned off the airport and surrounded the plane.Police and security services have 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.
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