EgyptAir Hijacker Identified As Seif Eldin Mustafa

After an EgyptAir Airbus A320 was hijacked on its way from Alexandria to Cairo Tuesday, early reports indicated that it was the work of a solo hijacker who demanded that the plane be rerouted. That man — who claimed to have an explosive device while on board the plane — released many passengers on the ground in Larnaca, Cyprus but continued to hold as many as seven people hostage.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus reported the identity of the man on Twitter as the negotiation continued:

The #hijacker of #MS181 is Seif Eldin Mustafa. The situation is still ongoing.

— Cyprus MFA (@CyprusMFA) March 29, 2016

Not much is known about Mustafa at this time, but according to NBC News:

The hijacker requested to be allowed to speak to someone — a Cypriot woman who appeared to be his ex-wife — and negotiators were discussing that prospect with him, the source added.

Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation said it was not yet clear if the hijacker had explosives as he claimed.

The Ministry returned to Twitter to confirm that the suspect had been apprehended:

Its over. The #hijacker arrested. #LarnacaAirport # Egyptair

— Cyprus MFA (@CyprusMFA) March 29, 2016

We will continue to update this post as more information becomes available.

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