Breaking: Commercial airliner hijacked in Greek airspace

[ECH1969]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

[RebelOne]

1. This just in on CNN.com

Turkish Airlines spokesman says a hijacked aircraft has landed at an airport in Brindisi, Italy, wire services report.

[Straight Shooter]

2. Follow-up link, not much more info.

ATHENS, Greece - A Turkish commercial airliner has been hijacked in Greek airspace, Greek state-run radio said Tuesday.

The plane had taken off from Tirana, Albania, and was destined for Istanbul.

The plane has landed in the Italian city of Brindisi, a Turkish Airlines spokesman said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15116710/

[RebelOne]

3. There's an Air Force base on Brindisi.

My brother-in-law was stationed there. It's a very small town or at least it was when he was there.

[Straight Shooter]

4. That's interesting.

I wonder if it was the pilot's decision or the hijacker's decision to land there.

[ECH1969]

5. We will see

[Straight Shooter]

6. More (unconfirmed) info from BBC; hijacker upset at papal visit.

A Turkish airliner flying from Tirana to Istanbul has been hijacked and flown to Brindisi in southern Italy, media in Turkey and Greece report.

It sent out an SOS twice in Greek airspace, and Athens scrambled four fighters to escort it to Brindisi, a Greek official told Reuters.

The Turkish Airlines plane is carrying at least 107 passengers.

Unconfirmed reports say there are two hijackers and they are protesting about plans for a papal visit to Turkey.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5403976.stm

[lonestarnot]

7. So this is re the popie visit then.

[Straight Shooter]

8. Apparently so. What a shame. I hope it is resolved peacefully. n/t

[lonestarnot]

9. Two hijackers mentioned on CNN again.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. They are ready to surrender; no-one hurt

Candan Karlitekin, chairman of Turkish Airlines' board of directors, said nobody had been hurt and the hijackers were apparently not threatening passengers.

"The passengers are not under any threat," he was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.

"They will surrender, they declared that they will surrender the moment they hijacked the plane."

Salvatore Sciacchitano, deputy director of the Italian civil aviation authority, also said the hijackers appeared to be "not aggressive" and ready to free the passengers, AFP reports.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5403976.stm

[lonestarnot]

11. Yeah!

:applause:

[tk2kewl]

12. Jet hijack to protest pope's visit

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/10/03/turkey.hijack/index.html

BRINDISI, Italy (CNN) -- A Turkish plane carrying 113 people was hijacked Tuesday by two Turks protesting Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit to Turkey, and landed safely in Italy, according to a Turkish national airline official.

The official said the two indicated they were ready to surrender to authorities.

<snip>

The chairman of Turkish Airlines confirmed the hijacking and said none of the passengers had been hurt.

"The passengers and crew are under no threat," Candan Karlitekin told NTV television.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/10/03/turkey.hijack/index.html

[maxsolomon]

13. way to disprove the Pope's retarded medieval quotation

let me say: Monotheism is awesome! :sarcasm:, natch.

[ck4829]

17. Some Turkish people have ALWAYS been mad at the Papacy

Remember, it was a Turkish Nationalist who tried to kill Pope John Paul II.

[Ian David]

14. Pope, you come stay my home.... !!! I KISS YOU!!!

I like to be friendship from different country ..

[azurnoir]

15. I thought the

Turkish government had asked the Pope not to visit Turkey as they could not guarantee his safety. So he was going to do it anyway? I guess nothing means "sainthood" like martyrdom.

[meegbear]

16. Worst. Protest. Ever.

[ButterflyBlood]

18. GET OVER THE POPE'S FUCKING COMMENTS YOU IDIOTS

Geez, I can't believe all this fuss from these morons over an out of context quotation of a medieval text by some silly old man in a funny hat....