A gunman who hijacked a plane in Jamaica has been captured after an eight-hour stand off, police say.
Late Sunday night, the 20-year-old Jamaican forced his way past a security checkpoint and seized the CanJet Airlines plane in Montego Bay, Jamaica. While all passengers and two crew were immediately released, six crew members were held at gunpoint for several hours.
Authorities described the young man as “mentally challenged”.
Kent Woodside, Vice President and General Manager, CanJet Airlines, in a statement said, “We are very relieved to confirm that the gunman on CanJet Flight 918 in Montego Bay is now in police custody and that the remaining crew have been released unharmed.
He added, “Obviously we were extremely concerned for the well-being of everyone involved in this incident. Our priority is now to provide comfort and support to the passengers and crew who were involved in this ordeal. The crew who were being held are receiving medical attention as a precaution”.
The statement goes on to say:
” I’d like to praise the professionalism and bravery of our crew who, while trained to deal with serious incidents, would have hoped never to have to deal with the reality.
The security and safety of our passengers and crew are our top priority. We will continue to do all we can to help the authorities who are investigating the apparent breach of security at the airport that led to this incident.
As you know, Sangster International Airport has been reopened. Moments ago a CanJet aircraft left Montreal and will travel via Toronto to Montego Bay later this afternoon to take passengers and crew on to Santa Clara or back to Canada, should they choose to return home.
We would also like to thank the security authorities in Jamaica and Canada., including the RCMP. And we’re extremely grateful for the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office.
All of the passengers who were released earlier are now resting in a local hotel”, Mr. Woodside said in his statement.
