A small passenger plane was reportedly hijacked by a knife-wielding man in Belize, Central America on Thursday.
The Cessna 208 Grand Caravan EX aircraft, registration V3-HIG, circled airspace around Belize City and was facing depleting oil consumption, sparking concerns about whether it would crash if it didn’t land.
A source at the airport in Belize told Newsweek that “all flights are grounded” and that staff are “freaking out.” Local media reported that an individual was seen with visible injuries and blood on their face, and that the reportedly hijacked Tropic Air aircraft was believed to be circling in the air.
Belize’s Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed the hijacking during a press conference on Thursday. He said police received information that the plane was hijacked after departing Corozal.
It eventually landed at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City. When the plane landed, passengers quickly disembarked and were met by the police. The hijacker was shot in the chest, Williams said.
There were injuries among passengers, and one passenger who shot at the hijacker was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, according to Williams. The hijacker was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, Williams said.
