AN IRISHMAN is reported to have been on board a hijacked EgyptAir flight that landed in Larnaca Airport in Cyprus this morning.
The Irish Times reports that an Irish citizen was on board – but the Department of Foreign Affairs have yet to confirm, saying they are in "close contact" with Egyptian authorities.
Reports claim EgyptAir flight MS181 was taken over by a passenger said to be wearing an explosives belt.
The airline confirmed the threat in a statement released by their Twitter account this morning.
Along with the Irishman, British and Italian nationals are also reportedly on board the airplane, which remains on the runway at Larnaca Airport as negotiations continue.
#BreakingReport
Kidnapper of #EgyptAir plane only keeps 5 hostages inside plane in #Larnaca.
3 British, 1 Italian, 1 Irishman— Julian Röpcke (@JulianRoepcke) March 29, 2016
It is not believed to be a terrorist incident, the Cypriot president Nicos Anastasiades has said.
Negotiations have resulted in the release of most hostages but it remains unclear how many are still on board.
EgyptAir said in a statement that four “foreign” passengers remain on the aircraft, along with an unspecified number of crew members.
The aircraft departed from Egyptian capital Cairo this morning and was bound for Alexandria, a city in the north of the country.
The plane was diverted mid-flight to the national airport of Cyprus.
All planes inbound and outbound from Larnaca have been cancelled or diverted as the hostage situation continues.
Anyone with concerns about Irish citizens due to fly from #Alexandria to #Cairo can contact us on 01 408 2000. #Egypt #Cyprus
— DFATravel (@dfatravel) March 29, 2016
