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Hijack attempt on Turkish plane Passengers flee from hijack plane
(about 1 hour later)
A plane flying from Cyprus to Istanbul has been diverted to the southern Turkish city of Antalya after a hijack attempt, Turkish TV reports. Scores of passengers have managed to escape from a plane which landed in the southern Turkish city of Antalya following a hijack attempt.
The two hijackers, who are reported to be speaking Arabic, wanted the plane to fly to Tehran. The Atlas Jet plane was flying from Northern Cyprus to Istanbul, when two hijackers tried to divert it to Tehran.
A number of passengers escaped from the plane after it landed at Antalya. But the pilot landed the plane in Antalya, saying it needed to refuel.
An official from the airline, Atlas Jet, said there were 136 passengers and six crew on the plane when it left Ercan Airport in Northern Cyprus. Soon after landing, some of the passengers managed to open emergency exits and escape, the BBC's Turkey correspondent Sarah Rainsford reports.
The plane was two hours into its journey from Northern Cyprus to Istanbul, when two men tried to forced their way into the cockpit, the BBC's Turkey correspondent Sarah Rainsford reports. TV pictures showed dozens of passengers running along the wing of the plane then jumping onto the tarmac.
Al-Qaeda claim
At least four people are still on board the plane, as well as two crew members and the two hijackers, she says.
An official from the airline, Atlas Jet, said that there were 136 passengers and six crew on the plane when it left Ercan Airport in Northern Cyprus.
The plane had been two hours into its journey when two men tried to forced their way into the cockpit.
When they did not succeed, the men asked to be flown to Iran, but the plane landed in Antalya.When they did not succeed, the men asked to be flown to Iran, but the plane landed in Antalya.
A number of passengers then succeeded in opening the door and jumping on the tarmac, according to local reports. It is thought the hijackers do not possess weapons, but they appear to have what is thought to be a bomb, Tuncay Doganer, chief executive of Atlas Jet, told Turkish TV.
Only a few passengers, crew members and the hijackers were left on board, Atlas Jet chief executive Tuncay Doganer said. Passengers told local TV that the hijackers were tall, dark skinned, apparently speaking Arabic and claiming to be from al-Qaeda, a claim which has not been independently confirmed.
It is thought the hijackers do not possess weapons, but appear to carry what is thought to be a bomb, Mr Doganer told Turkish TV.
Passengers told local TV that the hijackers were tall, dark skinned, apparently speaking Arabic and claiming to be from al-Qaeda.