A Turkish airliner flying from Tirana to Istanbul has been hijacked and flown to Brindisi in southern Italy, media in Turkey and Greece report.
A Turkish airliner flying from Tirana to Istanbul has been hijacked and flown to Brindisi in southern Italy in an apparent protest against the Pope.
It sent out an SOS twice in Greek airspace, and both Greece and Italy scrambled fighter jets to escort it before it landed in Brindisi.
It sent out an SOS twice in Greek airspace, and both Greece and Italy scrambled fighter jets to escort it before it landed in Brindisi.
The Turkish Airlines plane is carrying at least 107 passengers.
All of the Turkish Airlines plane's 107 passengers are said to be unhurt.
Unconfirmed reports say there are two hijackers and they are protesting about the Pope's planned visit to Turkey.
Turkish sources say there are two hijackers and they are protesting about the Pope's planned visit to Turkey.
According to Turkey's private television channel NTV, the two hijackers, who oppose Pope Benedict's visit scheduled for November, are ready to surrender.
According to Turkey's private television channel NTV, the two hijackers, who oppose Pope Benedict's visit scheduled for November, are ready to surrender.
A Greek defence official who spoke to Reuters said the plane had entered Greek air space at 1758 (1458 GMT) and four Greek fighters took off to escort it.
A Greek defence official who spoke to Reuters said the plane had entered Greek air space at 1758 (1458 GMT) and four Greek fighters took off to escort it.
The Italian air force in turn sent up two F-16s to intercept the plane and reportedly force it to land in Brindisi.
The Italian air force in turn sent up two F-16s to intercept the plane and reportedly forced it to land.
'Not aggressive'
Candan Karlitekin, chairman of Turkish Airlines' board of directors, said nobody had been hurt and the hijackers were apparently not threatening passengers.
"The passengers are not under any threat," he was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.
"They will surrender, they declared that they will surrender the moment they hijacked the plane."
Salvatore Sciacchitano, deputy director of the Italian civil aviation authority, also said the hijackers appeared to be "not aggressive" and ready to free the passengers, AFP reports.
A speech by Pope Benedict suggesting a link between Islam and violence sparked angry protests in Turkey and other mainly Muslim countries last month.
Are you or anyone you know affected by this story? Are you in Brindisi? Send us your comments and eyewitness accounts using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
Are you or anyone you know affected by this story? Are you in Brindisi? Send us your comments and eyewitness accounts using the form below. If you have any pictures you can send them yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
