Dubai-bound plane forced to make emergency landing after 'hijack attempt'

The plane was heading to Dubai from Bangladesh when the attempted hijacking happened.

1 min read

24 February, 2019

The flight made an emergency landing in Chittagong [Getty]

A Dubai-bound flight was forced to land in Bangladesh's second-city, Chittagong, following an attempted hijacking, according to air industry officials.

The Biman Airlines flight from Bangladesh to the UAE was reportedly made an emergency landing shortly after taking off from Chittagong on Sunday, agencies reported.

All 142 passengers were allowed to safely evacuate the plane, which was surrounded by commandos at Chittagong Airport, according to Reuters.

A 25-year-old man reportedly armed with a handgun reportedly held up the flight and said he was carrying a bomb, although this has not been confirmed.

"We have successfully rescued everyone," said Air Vice Marshall Mofid told AFP.

Shortly after the passengers left, security forces stormed the plane and arrested the man, who has still not been named.

Bangladesh aviation chief Nayeem Hasan said that the man acted alone and was not part of a militant group.

"From the talks and dialogue we have with him, it seems he is psychologically deranged," Hasan said after the man was arrested.