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A hijacked plane was forced to land at Geneva International Airport after the co-pilot locked
himself in the cockpit and took control of the aircraft.
The Ethiopian man was arrested on leaving the plane. Passengers can be seen here disembarking
the aircraft with their arms over their heads. Airport police said all 202 crew and passengers
were safe.
The flight took off from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and was on its way to Rome when
it was forced to land in Geneva, circling the airport several times before landing.
At a press conference, Geneva police said that the co-pilot had surrendered to authorities
and requested asylum in Switzerland. Geneva police spokesman Philippe Grangean told reporters
how the co-pilot took control of the plane.
Straight away all of the emergency services were alerted, at 2 minutes past 6 the plane
was put into full security on the runway. The plane was the immobilized and the co-pilot
climbed out of the cockpit window using a rope, he was then arrested by police.
The drama caused disruptions to other flights including cancelled short hall flights and
others being diverted to other airports.