A knife-wielding man has been shot dead by police after attempting to hijack a passenger plane while it was mid-flight above an airport.

Police were called to Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize this evening following reports that the man had produced a knife on board a small passenger aircraft and tried to take control of it. According to local media, the Tropic Air plane was mid-flight when the man – who has been identified as a US national – made his attempt. The knife-wielding American caused panic when he brandished the weapon among passengers and crew, prompting the pilot to contact air traffic control.

The aircraft was then made to circle above Belize District for several minutes as authorities worked to manage the situation, before eventually making an emergency landing.

More to follow…