A passenger hijacked EgyptAir Flight MS181, forcing the aircraft to land in Cyprus after departing Alexandria for Cairo. During the crisis, several people were released, while a small number of hostages remained.

The standoff concluded when the hijacker emerged from the aircraft and surrendered at Larnaca airport. Afterward, all remaining hostages were freed and there were no injuries reported.

Cypriot authorities said the device described as a suicide belt turned out to be a bluff, with the belt assessed as fake. Cyprus’s president said the incident was not linked to terrorism, and local reports said the hijacker’s motivation may have involved a personal dispute, including a relationship with his estranged Cypriot wife.

Cyprus’s airport operations were disrupted during the incident, with flights redirected, as security personnel prepared for the hijacker’s surrender.