Belize: In a surprising incident, a US man hijacked a small aircraft in Belize on Thursday, stabbing the pilot and two passengers, earlier than one of many stabbed passengers fatally shot him, stated the officers in Belize and the United States. The aircraft then landed safely on the Philip Goldson Worldwide Airport in Ladyville.
In line with the knowledge, Police have recognized the hijacker as Akinyela Sawa Taylor. The Tropic Air Cessna aircraft was reportedly carrying 14 passengers and two crew members and was flying from Corozal which is a small city close to Belize’s border with Mexico. It was reportedly headed to the favored vacationer vacation spot of San Pedro when it was hijacked.
This aircraft hijacking incident marked the primary to happen in a span of just about 4 years as previous to this, on Could 23, 2021, a Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius was forcibly diverted to Minsk, Belarus, beneath the pretence of a bomb risk.
Who’s Akinyela Sawa Taylor?
Akinyela Sawa Taylor, a US nationwide, hijacked a small aircraft in Belize on April 17, 2025. He was reportedly demanding to be taken again to the USA nonetheless he was shot lifeless aboard the aircraft by a passenger who was carrying a licensed firearm.
Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams stated 49-year-old Taylor was a US army veteran and he’s not but clear why he was asking to return to the US.
Why the US nationwide hijacked the small aircraft in Belize?
Police acquired info that the small aircraft was hijacked by a passenger on board shortly earlier than take-off. The hijacker, who was a US citizen, demanded to be taken in a foreign country and requested for extra gas for the aircraft.
US Embassy spokesperson Luke Martin in Belize additionally stated that Taylor was insisting that he be taken to the USA and added, “We have no idea why he wished to return to the US.”
US officers stated that didn’t know any specific motive behind Taylor’s hijacking however had been working with Belizean authorities to find out what really occurred.
What occurred aboard the hijacked aircraft in Belize?
Police stated that the aircraft circled in random instructions for nearly two hours because the drama unfolded within the skies and the aircraft was additionally adopted by a police helicopter earlier than it lastly touched down at an airport within the coastal city of Ladyville.
The hijacker stabbed two passengers in addition to the pilot following which one of many stabbed passengers managed to shoot at Taylor, resulting in his dying. Notably, the passenger was licensed to hold a firearm, and he later returned his weapon to the police. He was stabbed within the again and suffered a critical puncture to his legs and is in essential situation.
The pilot has been recognized as Howell Grange whereas the 2 injured passengers, considered one of whom shot the hijacked, have been recognized as Fitzgerald Brown and Jair Castañeda.
The authorities in Belize declared a full emergency proper after the incident started, round 8:30 am native time, in line with an official assertion by the Belize Airport Concession Firm.
Tropic Air CEO praises pilot
CEO of the airline firm, Maximillian Grief stated that within the face of incomprehensible strain, the pilot acted with extraordinary braveness and calm and guided the plane to a secure touchdown. They added, “His actions had been nothing wanting heroic.”
The Officers added that the 2 wounded passengers and pilot had been being handled for his or her accidents at a hospital.
