Prisoners Force Airliner To Land

Press, Volume C, Issue 29536, 10 June 1961, Page 11

Prisoners Force Airliner To Land

(N Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) CURACAO (Dutch Antilles), June 9. Five political prisoners took control of a Venezuelan military aircraft in flight last night and forced it to land after a bloody battle with guns and knives. The fight continued at Curacao Airport after the aircraft landed.

A police spokesman said the prisoners attacked the crew and guards. After the aircraft was forced to land in Curacao, a machine gun battle between the prisoners and their guards was finally broken up by hundreds of armed Dutch marines and policemen. During the fight in the aircraft several crew members and a guard were injured. The pilot of the DC3 was seriously wounded by a bullet in the head. Three other persons were admitted to hospital with lesser injuries. One of the prisoners escaped. while the others asked for political asylum, the Associated Press reported. In Caracas. Venezuelan authorities said the prisoners were being transferred from a military prison in

Puerto Cabello, a port in northern Venezuela, to Caracas, to appear today at a court martial. The authorities said the prisoners were officers accused of rebellion against the Government. Police headquarters in Curacao said the Venezuelans were being interrogated and a communique would be issued later. They refused to disclose full details of the incident or names of the persons involved pending further Investigation. Dutch authorities posted a guard around the aircraft. They said a large supply of arms and ammunition was found aboard. Informed sources said there were seven armed guards and three crew members on the aircraft in addition to the prisoners. United Press International said.