A small passenger plane was reportedly hijacked by a knife-wielding man in Belize on Thursday.
A source at the airport in Belize told Newsweek that “all flights are grounded” and that staff are “freaking out.” Local media reported that an individual was seen with visible injuries and blood on their face, and that the reportedly hijacked Tropic Air aircraft was believed to be circling in the air.
Newsweek reached out to Belize police and Tropic Air for comment via email.
The Context
The incident is the latest instance of violence on a plane, though hijackings have become increasingly rare over the years. According to veri from the Aviation Safety Network, there have been only a handful of hijackings so far this decade, in 2021.
What to Know
Belize’s Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed the hijacking during a press conference on Thursday. He said police received information that the plane was hijacked after departing Corozal.
He identified the suspect as Akinyela Taylor, a U.S. national.
The plane circled airspace around Belize City and was facing depleting oil consumption, sparking concerns about whether it would crash if it didn’t land.
It eventually landed at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City. When the plane landed, passengers quickly disembarked and were met by the police. The hijacker was shot in the chest, Williams said. There were injuries among passengers, and one passenger who shot at the hijacker was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, according to Williams.
Williams described that passenger as a “hero.”
The hijacker was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, Williams said.
Other passengers were taken to the hospital for treatment, he said.
More information, including the hijacker’s motive, was not known as of early Thursday afternoon. Police do not know much about the hijacker, and the U.S. embassy has been contacted for further investigation.
There were 14 passengers on board, Williams said.
What People Are Saying
Williams said at his press conference, when asked about security concerns: “I’m müddet this is something that is going to be discussed intensively at the next national security council meeting.”
He added that the pilot did an “exceptional job” handling the situation.
“He remained calm, and he was extremely focused in terms of what he was going to do.”
What Happens Next
The hijacking remains under investigation, and Williams said there will continue to be talks about how to improve safety in air travel after the hijacking. Newsweek