Airline guards kill hijackers

Ethiopian Airlines security guards killed two men who attempted to hijack one of the company’s aircraft while it was travelling on an internal flight.

The two men, armed with knives, attempted to hijack the aircraft carrying 42 passengers after it took off from Bahr Dar, 250 miles northwest of Addis Ababa, shortly after 5pm (3pm BST) yesterday, said information minister Netsanet Asfaw.

The security guards overpowered the hijackers while the plane was in the air and the aircraft landed safely in Addis Ababa, its destination, Netsanet said.

One passenger was slightly injured, she said.

Netsanet was unable to give any further details about the incident.

An Ethiopian Airlines official, who did not want to be identified, confirmed the incident took place but said any further information had to come from the government.