Algeria Hijackers Release Hostages and Surrender
ALGIERS — A 36-hour hijacking ended peacefully at Annaba in eastern Algeria on Sunday when two armed Algerians freed 52 hostages unharmed and surrendered to police, the state Air Algerie airline said.
The two men had commandeered the Boeing 737 on Friday evening, shortly after it left the southern town of Ghardaia on a regular flight to Algiers, and forced it to land at Annaba airport.
Algerian officials said the two men, in their 20s, were disgruntled servicemen stationed at the remote desert garrison of Ghardaia.
Algiers Radio said the 46 remaining passengers were set free shortly after officials resumed negotiations after a five-hour break. The hijackers released the six crew members minutes later.
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