French Commandos Storm Hijacked Air France Airliner at Marseilles Airport

Strategic Insights -

French Interior Minister Charles Pasqua revealed today that an anonymous tip to the French consulate in Oran, Algeria, warned of a possible plane crash over Paris. The hijackers, members of the Armed Islamic Group, had planned to blow up the Airbus A300, which had 171 occupants on board. The French Government acted swiftly, ordering paramilitary commandos to storm the plane, resulting in the killing of all four hijackers and the freeing of 171 hostages.

Key Takeaways:

  • The French Government received an anonymous tip warning of a possible plane crash over Paris, prompting the storming of the hijacked Air France airliner at Marseilles airport.
  • The hijackers, members of the Armed Islamic Group, planned to blow up the Airbus A300, which had 171 occupants on board.
  • 20 sticks of dynamite were found on board the plane, along with a cache of dynamite in the cockpit and another in the midsection of the plane.
  • The hijackers demanded 27 tons of fuel be loaded into the plane, enough to cause a bigger explosion if detonated over Paris.
  • French officials assert that the hijackers' real purpose was to destroy the plane over Paris, with the Interior Minister Charles Pasqua stating, "Analysis of the dynamite found on board confirmed that the explosion would devastate the plane, which seems to have been their plan."
  • The Air France plane, which had 171 occupants on board, was stormed by French commandos, resulting in the killing of all four hijackers.
  • 13 passengers and 2 crew members were injured, while 9 commandos were wounded, including one who lost his hand throwing a grenade.
  • The French Government has strained its relations with the Algerian Government in the aftermath of the hijacking, with France offering to send its own commandos to halt the hijacking in Algeria.
  • The Armed Islamic Group, responsible for the hijacking, has taken responsibility for the killing of 80 foreigners, including 27 French nationals, over the last 15 months.

Statistics:

  • 20 sticks of dynamite were found on board the Airbus A300.
  • The hijackers demanded 27 tons of fuel be loaded into the plane.
  • 171 passengers and crew members were on board the plane when it was stormed by French commandos.
  • 13 passengers and 2 crew members were injured.
  • 9 commandos were wounded, including one who lost his hand throwing a grenade.
  • 20 people were still in the hospital after the incident.
  • The Armed Islamic Group, responsible for the hijacking, is thought to number 2,500.

Sources:

  • The French Government's statement on the hijacking.
  • The Armed Islamic Group's claim of responsibility for the hijacking.
  • The article "French Commandos Storm Hijacked Air France Airliner at Marseilles Airport" by the New York Times.