Passenger’s Unusual Request: Selfie with Hijacker During EgyptAir Flight MS181 Incident
In a remarkable turn of events during the hijacking of EgyptAir Flight MS181, British passenger Ben Innes made headlines by requesting a selfie with the hijacker, Seif Eldin Mustafa. The flight, en route from Alexandria to Cairo, was diverted to Larnaca, Cyprus, after Mustafa claimed to be wearing an explosive belt, which was later determined to be fake.
Innes, a 26-year-old health and safety auditor from Leeds, was among the passengers held hostage during the six-hour standoff. Through a flight attendant acting as an interpreter, he asked Mustafa if he could take a photo with him. Surprisingly, the hijacker agreed. A flight attendant snapped the picture, capturing Innes smiling beside Mustafa, who appeared calm despite the tense situation.
The image quickly went viral, sparking widespread discussion and debate. Innes later explained his motivation, stating, “I’m not sure why I did it, I just threw caution to the wind while trying to stay cheerful in the face of adversity.” He added, “It has to be the best selfie ever.”
The hijacking concluded without any injuries, and Mustafa was arrested by Cypriot authorities. The incident, while alarming, highlighted the unpredictable nature of human behavior in crisis situations.
For a firsthand account from Ben Innes, you can watch his interview below: