A passenger on a small plane from Belize on Thursday shot dead an American armed with a knife who was attempting a hijacking, police in the Caribbean nation said.
The would-be hijacker threatened the pilot shortly after the Cessna Grand Caravan from
Plane passenger shoots, kills US hijacker on Belize flight
AFP
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Tropic Air flies throughout the Caribbean. Photo / Tropic Air
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Police identified the assailant as 49-year-old US national Akinyela Sawa Taylor, who was apparently a military veteran.
The injured passengers were taken to the hospital.
The US Embassy in Belize expressed its regret over the incident on the eve of the Easter long weekend.
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“It really highlights the importance of safety and security,” the embassy’s public affairs officer, Luke Martin, told reporters.
“We have a strong relationship with Belizean law enforcement, and in times like this, that partnership proves crucial,” with a quick exchange of information, he added.
Tropic Air said the attempted hijacking was a “serious and unprecedented inflight emergency”.
It praised the actions of its pilot and said it was offering its support to the injured passengers.
“Our pilot acted with extraordinary courage and calm, guiding the aircraft to a safe landing. His actions were nothing short of heroic.
“Belize is a strong and heroic community in the face of emergencies. Today we are especially proud of our captain, our community and our country.”
-Agence France-Presse
- Additional reporting, NZ Herald