Three passengers have been injured and a U.S. citizen was fatally shot after an tried hijacking of a home Tropic Air flight in Belize on Thursday, police confirmed.
Authorities stated Akinyela Sawa Taylor, a U.S. citizen, allegedly hijacked the aircraft at knifepoint simply earlier than takeoff, demanding to be flown in another country and for the plane to be refueled. The flight, operated by Tropic Air Belize, was carrying 14 passengers in complete, together with two People.
Police stated Taylor was shot within the chest by one other passenger who was legally armed. The plane, which circled within the air for a while throughout the ordeal, narrowly prevented catastrophe because it was virtually out of gas by the point it landed safely.
Three passengers, all Belizean nationals, sustained knife wounds within the incident. The complete particulars of how Taylor managed to board the aircraft with a weapon stay underneath investigation, officers stated.
In an announcement, Tropic Air Belize CEO Maximillian Greif praised the pilot and crew for his or her response. “Our pilots bear rigorous coaching to reply successfully and effectively to any state of affairs, and in the present day we pause to acknowledge the bravery, ability and management that introduced our plane dwelling safely,” he stated. Greif described the pilot’s actions as “nothing wanting heroic” and stated the airline is offering “all obtainable assist” to the injured.
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The U.S. Embassy in Belize has been knowledgeable and is aiding native authorities with the investigation. State Division spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed the incident throughout a Thursday briefing, stating, “We’re grateful — I believe all of us are — that that didn’t flip right into a mass casualty occasion with, I consider over a dozen individuals on the aircraft.”
Additional complicating the investigation, Belizean authorities revealed that Taylor had been denied entry to the nation simply days earlier. Police at the moment are probing how he was in a position to re-enter and board the home flight.
Talking from Philip Goldson Worldwide Airport, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Luke Martin expressed remorse over the incident. “It actually highlights the significance of security and safety,” Martin stated. “We would like Belize and the area to stay protected—not only for Belizeans, however for the numerous People who journey or reside right here.”
Martin added that whereas the Embassy had not beforehand been contacted by Taylor and had no affirmation of his background—together with whether or not he was a army veteran—it’s cooperating totally with Belizean authorities. “We have now a robust relationship with Belizean legislation enforcement, and in instances like this, that partnership proves essential,” he stated.
Whereas the investigation is being led by Belizean authorities, U.S. officers are standing by to supply continued help, significantly in figuring out how Taylor might have entered the nation after being turned away on the northern border.
“Belize is a vital companion within the area,” Martin added, “and we wish to keep these sturdy ties, particularly with legislation enforcement businesses, to make sure that occasions like this are dealt with swiftly and professionally.”
Flights at Philip Goldson Worldwide Airport resumed shortly after the incident, and air visitors has since returned to regular.
