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EgyptAir hijack: Social media sees the funny side

The hijacker had claimed to be wearing an explosives belt when he took over the plane.

The hijacker who seized an Egyptian airliner and forced it to land in Cyprus has been detained, officials said on Tuesday.

"The hijacker has just been arrested," Cypriot government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said on Twitter, without providing further details.

A man emerged from the aircraft and then walked across the tarmac and raised his hands to two awaiting counter-terrorism police officers, an AFP correspondent reported.

They laid him on the ground and searched him for around two minutes before taking him away.

The hijacker had claimed to be wearing an explosives belt when he took over the plane.

The man's motivation was unclear, but President Nicos Anastasiades said the hijacking was "not something that has to do with terrorism" and a Cyprus government official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the man "seems (to be) in love."

While social media was abuzz with concern immediately after the hijack, the mood soon changed to humour when details of the hijack emerged.

One grinning passenger posed for a SELFIE alongside #EgyptAir hijacker https://t.co/gj4teScAeR pic.twitter.com/mj7mgE6v1h
- Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 29, 2016

If You Really Love Her,

Hijack Her Heart, Not Planes. ;) #EgyptAir
- Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) March 29, 2016

We Live In A World Where Hijacking A Pane Is Lot Easier Than Keeping A Relationship Together. #EgyptAir ;)
- Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) March 29, 2016

Terrorists have no Marital Status. Ex Husbands should not be targeted for action of one Mad Man #EgyptAir
- Joy (@Joydas) March 29, 2016

#EgyptAir Security: Sir, what's in your bag? ??
Hijacker: Belt w/ explosives & a soda. ??
Security: Sorry, you can't take soda on-board sir. ??
- NUFF$AID (@nuffsaidNY) March 29, 2016

This is a whole new level of romance ...wait meant to say idiocy #EgyptAir pic.twitter.com/8iTWXuHfJt
- Sympathy Mpofu (@sympthesaint) March 29, 2016

Breaking: After #EgyptAir was hijacked for ex-wife, #DonaldTrump demands closing the border to anyone wearing a wedding ring:(#Dhoni ??????
- Sir Yograj Singh (@siryograjsingh) March 29, 2016

It shouldn't be "Thankfully it was only an idiot and not a terrorist"...
It should be "Oh crap any idiot can hijack a plane" #EgyptAir
- ~Velyon~ (@darth_sedai) March 29, 2016

The #EgyptAir hijack is proof enough that love is in the air!
- Nishatha Abraham (@Kajraaare) March 29, 2016

Meanwhile, security at the airports of Egypt. #EgyptAir pic.twitter.com/qBTEdLmQj7
- Snober Alan Abbasi (@snobers) March 29, 2016

A guy hijacked #EgyptAir plane for his love, here people can't even unlock their partners cell phone. ??
- Snap? maanimrankhan (@MaanImranKhan) March 29, 2016

Don't block your Egyptian ex on Facebook, we don't want more planes hijacked! #love_Egyptian_style #EgyptAir
- Abdallah Hendawy (@hendawys) March 29, 2016

A man hijacked a plane for his ex wife and here I am still waiting for you to reply to my snapchats ???? #EgyptAir
- RayRay (@RyeDhorat) March 29, 2016

Because true love starts off with a good old fashion hijack and worldwide panic. ?? #EgyptAir
- Alicia Dove (@AliciaEDove) March 29, 2016

When you break up with your boyfriend & he hijacks a plane to get you back. It's the little things! #EgyptAir
- Treasa Nealon (@TreasaNealon) March 29, 2016