Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 Hijacked and Crashed
November 23rd, 1996
November 23rd, 1996
How Long Ago?
28 years, 3 months, 20 days ago
Location
Indian Ocean, near Comoros Islands
Category
Accidents & Tragedies
People
- Yared Abebe
- Abraham Berhe
- Mohammed Abdul
- Ali Abdi
Links & References
Tags
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 Hijacked and Crashed
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 was hijacked by three armed men on November 23, 1996, shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The aircraft was a Boeing 767, and the hijackers demanded to fly to Australia but diverted to the Comoros Islands. After several hours in the air and running out of fuel, the plane crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Comoros archipelago, resulting in the deaths of 125 individuals onboard, while 50 passengers survived.
Hijacked shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa
Diverted to Comoros Islands during standoff
Crash resulted in 125 deaths, 50 survivors
Led to stricter international aviation security measures
What Happened?
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 was a scheduled flight traveling from Addis Ababa to Nairobi on November 23, 1996, but it quickly turned into a crisis when three men hijacked the plane shortly after its takeoff. The hijackers, armed with firearms, demanded that the pilot change course towards Australia. During the prolonged standoff, they threatened the passengers and crew, escalating tensions in an already dire situation. The aircraft, a Boeing 767, carried 175 people, including both crew and passengers. As the stand-off extended, the aircraft was forced to make several changes to its flight path before it ultimately ran low on fuel.After several hours of evasion, the pilot attempted an emergency landing, but with fuel reserves exhausted, the plane crashed into the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Comoros Islands. Rescue operations were launched immediately after the crash, with the Comorian authorities attempting to locate survivors amid the wreckage. The crash claimed the lives of 125 individuals onboard, while 50 passengers managed to survive in the aftermath. The hijacking event highlighted vulnerabilities in airport security protocols and led to increased scrutiny on hijacking threats globally.
Why Does it Matter?
The hijacking and subsequent crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 had profound implications on airline security and international flight protocols. It shone a light on the increasing vulnerabilities aviation faced during that period, leading to enhanced security measures being implemented at airports worldwide. The incident raised awareness about the extreme measures some individuals would take to escape oppressive regimes, prompting discussions on political asylum and humanitarian concerns among global communities.
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