LARNACA: A man thought to be strapped with explosives hijacked an Egyptian plane on a flight between Alexandria and Cairo on Tuesday and forced it to land in Cyprus, Egyptian officials said.

After the EgyptAir plane landed at Larnaca airport, the hijacker released all the people onboard except five foreign passengers and the crew, EgyptAir said.

About 60 people, including seven crew, had been onboard, Egyptian and Cypriot officials said.

ATHENS: Four to five more passengers were seen leaving an EgyptAir plane hijacked and diverted to Larnaca airport in Cyprus on Tuesday, Cypriot state media said.

It was not clear how many people were left on board the aircraft. Earlier, EgyptAir reported four foreign passengers and seven-member crew had been left onboard after about 49 people were released.

Citing security sources, Cypriot state media reported that the motives of the hijacker appeared personal, and had asked to contact his ex wife, who lives in Cyprus.

"It is not something which has to do with terrorism," Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades told reporters.