Hijacking on a Small Plane in Belize Leaves Three Injured
A dramatic incident unfolded on Thursday in Belize as a US citizen allegedly hijacked a small plane at knifepoint, leaving three passengers injured. According to reports from ABC News, the hijacker, identified as Akinyela Sawa Taylor, was fatally shot in the chest by a passenger who had a licensed firearm.
The incident occurred on a Tropic Air Belize plane that had 14 passengers on board, including two Americans. Police received information that the plane was hijacked by a passenger on board shortly before takeoff. Taylor, who was reportedly seeking to be taken out of the country, demanded more fuel for the plane. The aircraft, which was circling, almost ran out of fuel by the time it landed.
The three passengers who were injured were all from Belize and had knife wounds. Fortunately, the pilot’s actions have been described as "nothing short of heroic" by Tropic Air Belize CEO Maximillian Greif. In a statement, Greif said: "Our pilots undergo rigorous training to respond effectively and efficiently to any situation, and today we pause to recognize the bravery, skill and leadership that brought our aircraft home safely."
The US Embassy has been contacted and will assist the police with the investigation. According to ABC News, the suspect was refused entry to the country over the weekend and officials are investigating how he was able to get in. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said during a press briefing on Thursday that the agency was following the incident as it unfolded and expressed relief that it did not turn into a mass casualty event.
Police were in contact with a passenger on the plane who was sending updates via text, officials said. It is not yet clear how the hijacker was able to get on the plane with a knife. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The incident has raised concerns about aviation security and the ease with which the hijacker was able to get on the plane with a knife. As reported by ABC News, the pilot’s actions and the quick response of law enforcement officials likely prevented a more serious outcome. The incident will likely be the subject of further investigation and review.
In a statement, the CEO of Tropic Air Belize praised the pilot’s actions, saying: "Our pilots undergo rigorous training to respond effectively and efficiently to any situation." As reported by ABC News, this incident highlights the importance of robust security measures and effective emergency response planning. The incident is a stark reminder of the potential risks and threats that exist in the aviation industry.
Tammy Bruce added: "We are grateful — I think all of us are — that that did not turn into a mass casualty event with, I believe over a dozen people on the plane."
ABC News’ Shannon K. Kingston contributed to this report.
