Historical Events tagged with "hijacking"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Accidents & Tragedies

Hijacking of Malaysian Airline Flight 653

December 4th, 1977 47 years ago

Malaysian Airline System Flight 653 was hijacked on approach to Tanjong Kupang, Johor, by a gunman demanding to fly to the Middle East. The aircraft, a Fokker F27 Friendship, crashed during a failed landing attempt, resulting in the loss of all 100 lives on board. The incident shocked the nation and raised concerns about aviation security in the region.

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Entertainment

Mysterious Hijacking of Southern Television Broadcast

November 26th, 1977 47 years ago

An unknown hijacker, identifying as Vrillon, seized control of Southern Television in Britain for six minutes at 5:12 PM. Claiming to represent the 'Ashtar Galactic Command', the intruder interrupted programming with a message urging viewers to heed warnings about the state of Earth, intertwining themes of extraterrestrial life and global concerns. The broadcast caused bewilderment and intrigue among the audience, swiftly becoming a topic of discussion across media platforms.

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Crime & Law

German Autumn: RAF Violence and Airport Crisis

October 18th, 1977 47 years ago

The German Autumn culminated in a tragic situation involving the Red Army Faction's (RAF) violent activities. Hanns Martin Schleyer, a prominent German industrialist, was kidnapped and held for ransom. During the same period, a Lufthansa flight was hijacked by RAF members. The crisis escalated until Schleyer was murdered by his captors, while several RAF members reportedly committed suicide. This series of events shocked Germany and highlighted the brutal tactics of domestic terrorism.

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Crime & Law

Lufthansa Flight 181 Hijacking Ends in Mogadishu

October 17th, 1977 47 years ago

Lufthansa Flight 181 was hijacked by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - External Operations while flying from Palma de Mallorca to Frankfurt. After several days of negotiations, the hijackers landed in Mogadishu, Somalia. A German security team, coordinated by the federal government, launched a rescue operation that successfully freed the remaining hostages inside the aircraft.

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Crime & Law

Lufthansa Flight 181 Hijacking by PFLP

October 13th, 1977 47 years ago

On October 13, 1977, Lufthansa Flight 181 was hijacked by four members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) while en route from Palma de Mallorca to Frankfurt. The aircraft, a Boeing 737, was diverted to several locations, including Rome and then ultimately to Mogadishu, Somalia. The hijackers demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners and a ransom of millions of dollars. Negotiations ensued over several days as the German government sought to secure the safe release of the passengers and crew onboard the flight.

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Military & Warfare

Israeli Commandos Execute Bold Airport Rescue

July 4th, 1976 48 years ago

Israeli commandos successfully executed a raid on Entebbe Airport in Uganda to rescue hostages from an Air France jetliner that had been seized by Palestinian terrorists. The operation, known as Operation Entebbe, took place after the plane, carrying 248 passengers and crew, was diverted to Entebbe following its hijacking. The rescue team stormed the terminal where the hostages were held, neutralizing the hijackers and securing the release of all but four individuals who were killed during the operation.

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Crime & Law

Air France Flight 139 Hijacked to Entebbe

June 27th, 1976 48 years ago

Air France Flight 139, en route from Tel Aviv to Paris with a stop in Athens, was hijacked by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The aircraft was redirected to Entebbe, Uganda, where the passengers were taken hostage. The hijackers demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and other countries. The action set off a tense standoff that drew international attention.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Hijacking and Crash of Air Vietnam Flight 706

September 15th, 1974 50 years ago

Air Vietnam Flight 706 was hijacked while en route from Da Nang to Saigon. The hijackers, armed and determined, took control of the aircraft, leading to a chaotic attempt to land. The situation escalated, resulting in the plane crashing near the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, killing all 75 individuals on board, including passengers and crew.

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Crime & Law

Samuel Byck's Aircraft Hijacking Attempt

February 22nd, 1974 51 years ago

Samuel Byck attempted to hijack a plane at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, intending to crash it into the White House to assassinate President Richard Nixon. Armed with a gun and explosives, Byck took hostages and demanded a flight crew. After a standoff with police, he was shot and subsequently committed suicide.

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