The #EgyptAir hashtag has turned the number one trend within hours around the world.
EgyptAir Flight MS181 was taken over after a passenger claimed to be wearing a suicide explosive belt.
Cypriot officials have named him as Seif Eldin Mustafa. Reports say he wants to talk to his estranged wife in Cyprus and the Cypriot president says the hijack is not a terrorist incident.
But others say he is demanding the release of female prisoners in Egypt.
Egypt’s civil aviation minister told a news conference that seven people remained on board the jet.
Sherif Fathy identified them as the pilot, the co-pilot, a female stewardess, a security officer and three passengers whose nationalities he refused to divulge.
He said negotiations with the hijacker – who had made no specific demands – were continuing, and that it was unclear whether the hijacker had taken explosives on board or whether he was bluffing.
An aircraft was being sent to Larnaca to pick up the passengers who had been released, Mr. Fathy added.
Twitter users have of course found ways to make it amusing.
An exclusive image of the letter for the ex-wife is released.
Update: The Hijacker has been arrested after insisting on having a letter delivered to his ex-wife. The entire hold up was a move to get the ex wife’s attention.
The ex was brought to the airport to receive the letter. The content is unknown.