Passengers and crew were evacuated from hijacked Egypt Air plane. The hijacker surrendered himself and the officials are still trying to find out the the motive of hijacker behind hijacking the plane. 

This is how the drama unfolded:

5.36 pm: Sherif Ismail, Egyptian Prime Minister said that, the hijacker was an Egyptian national, who had asked to meet European Union officials or to fly on to another airport. Ismail assured to find out the motive of hijacker, which remained a mystery. “At some moments he asked to meet with a representative of the European Union and at other points he asked to go to another airport but there was nothing specific,” he said.

5.30 pm: Cyprus official says hijacker has been arrested and the situation is “over”.

5.21 pm: Cyprus's state broadcaster said that, the suspected hijacker has  surrendered to authorities. The hijacker emerged from the aircraft with his hands in the air, state TV said.

5.18 pm: Hijacker emerging from aircraft with hands held up, local TV reports.
 
5.16 pm: 7 more people get off hijacked Egypt plane, man seen climbing out of cockpit window.

4.10 pm: Two security officials said, New York-bound airplane’s departure was delayed by Cairo airport, due to security fears related to a hijacked air plane  diverted to Cyprus.

Earlier, as per TV reports, the hijacker had demanded the release of female prisoners in Egypt, where the government is facing an Islamist militant insurgency based in the Sinai Peninsula.

4 pm: Cyprus’ Foreign Ministry identified the hijacker of an Egypt plane forced to land in Cyprus as Seif Eldin Mustafa in a tweet.

“The situation is still ongoing,” it said. Earlier, TV reports said, the hijacker had dropped a letter on Larnaca airport’s apron, that appeared to be demanding the release of prisoners in Egypt.

Eygptian state media had earlier identified the hijacker as a different man.

3.30 pm: Reportedly, hijacker demanded the release of prisoners in Egypt.

3.00 pm: With 4 crew and 3 passengers, totally there are 7 people on the board, Egypt civil aviation minister says.

2.10 pm: Egypt plane hijacking is not related to "terrorism", Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades says.

2:00 pm: Hijacker is a professor of Veterinary medicine at Alexandria University, according to university website, the reports said.

1:31 pm: No signs of distress noticed, Flight-tracking website official says.

1:30 pm: Local TV reports said, hijacker may have personal motives, has an ex-wife in Cyprus

01:20 pm: Hijacker is identified as Ibrahim Samaha, reports.

01:05 pm: 56 people on board, the hijacked Egypt plane have been released and have left the aircraft, the Cyprus official said.

12: 50 pm: Except four foreigners and crew, everyone from the plane were released.

12:43 pm: Hijacker has intended to release certain number of passengers, Cyprus foreign ministry Secretary General says.

12:40 pm: Hijacker is yet to reveal about his demands, Cyprus foreign ministry Secretary General says.

By Phani Ch