Russian Plane Hijack Flying From Sirberia to Moscow

RUSSIA: Passenger hijack Russian plane flying from Siberia to Moscow earlier today according to Russian authorities. The hijacked plane was demanded to be flown to Afghanistan.

An armed passenger demanded the flight to be diverted to Afghanistan. The plane was an Aeroflot Boeing 737, flight AFL1515.

The Boeing 737 was carrying 76 people flying from Surgut in western Siberia to Moscow.

The hijacker was persuaded to land the plane in the city of Khanty-Mansiysk about 230 kilometers to refuel before flying to Afghanistan. The landing of the plane in the city was captured and shown on TV360.

The man was then detained by armed officers in balaclavas.

The weapons were seized and his belongings checked before taking the man off the plane.

Other footage also revealed the passengers on the ground in Khanty-Mansiysk and also a sniper arriving the airport.

The airport is currently deployed with teams of police officers and other emergency services by the Russian Security Services.

There is no reports of casualties or any injuries. The passengers will be flown in another plane which has been sent from Moscow.

The flight departed at at 2.55pm local time and was been due to land at 4.20pm Moscow time.

There were 76 people on board SU1515 including seven crew, four children and one baby.

Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said according to initial reports the man was reported to be intoxicated and threatened to have a weapon. He tried to get inside the cockpit and demanded the landing in Afghanistan.

The aircraft commander decided to make an emergency landing in Khanty-Mansiysk.

The hijacker was a resident of Surgut with previous conviction records. He has been been convicted of damage to property.