Gunmen Seize Bus In Athens - Gunshots Heard

Gunmen have hijacked a bus in Athens, Greece. Gunshots heard.

From: CNN: Gunmen seize bus in Athens

Authorities have surrounded a bus filled with passengers that had been seized by gunmen in the Athens suburb of Marathon, Greek police said.

The police said gunshots had been heard, but they did not yet know who the gunmen were, why the bus had been hijacked or if they had any demands.

"The bus is stopped, police have surrounded it," a police official told Reuters.

More to come...

Maybe they object to the fare or perhaps the seats were not very comfy...

Time to call in the 2004 Olympic Special Hero Team

Initial reports said that at least two people apparently armed with shotguns apparently took control of the bus just before dawn. The bus driver managed to escape, according to officials.

Reporters on the scene heard what sounded like two shotgun blasts about an hour after the bus was taken over about 6:00am (01500 AEDT) outside a nightclub.

At least two shots had been fired at police who arrived at the scene shortly after the takeover.

www.news.com.au...

Sanc'.

Since the edit-button doesn't seem to work right now, the "more to come" comes here instead:




[edit on 2006/4/23 by Hellmutt]

A passenger left a hijacked Greek bus Wednesday five hours after two foreign gunmen seized the vehicle carrying 26 passengers in an Athens suburb, a Reuters correspondent at the scene said.

"It is a hostage," a police spokeswoman told Reuters.

The grey-haired man, who looked to be in his 50s, stepped out of the bus through the driver's side with his hands raised and walked about 30 yards before leaping over a low fence into the embrace of police.

The spokeswoman said negotiations with the two armed hijackers were proceeding well.

"We are on a good path. It is proceeding satisfactorily," she said.

story.news.yahoo.com.../nm/20041215/ts_nm/greece_bus_passenger_dc

Update on situation:

Five hostages were released -- two men and three woman -- after five hours. The first, a 55-year-old man said to be suffering a heart condition, was released for what were described "as medical reasons."Journalist Anthee Carassavas told CNN that police had said their release was the first positive sign that negotiations were "going well."

She said it was unclear what the detailed demands of the hostage-takers were beyond their wish to be flown to Russia.

Special forces, including snipers, hostage negotiators and anti-terrorism squads, continued to surround the blue-colored bus in the Athens suburb of Marathon, while a police helicopter hovered overhead.

CNN

hopefully this time there want be any blood...

[edit on 15-12-2004 by jazzgul]

[edit on 15-12-2004 by jazzgul]

Seems like their made their mind up afterall.They have requested a million Euros.Oh yeh& @ driver:puz

UPDATE: another 2 hostages have been released


skynews
www.sky.com...

there also showing live coverage of the event,


So there also demading to fly to Russia at some point? do you think they will even get that far?



[edit on 15-12-2004 by asala]

Originally posted by Horus_Re
Seems like their made their mind up afterall.They have requested a million Euros.Oh yeh

& @ driver:puz

Greece bus hijackers ask for ransom

Two gunmen who hijacked a bus carrying 26 passengers in an Athens suburb have asked for one million euros ($A1.75 million) and a plane to leave the country, a senior police source said.

The source said in negotiations with police, the hijackers demanded the ransom but did not specify where they wanted to fly to.

"This figure of one million has been mentioned in negotiations but they have given no other details regarding where they want to go to," the source said.

Earlier reports had suggested the hijackers, whose nationality is yet unknown, wanted to fly to Russia.

www.abc.net.au...

Sanc'.

Some of the pics from the unfolding Drama. also its said there are no children on board,













Nowhere To Go
The coach is completely surrounded by police and fire vehicles.