Washington - Nine survivors were reported rescued after a hijacked Cuban aircraft ditched in the sea between the island and Florida where it was apparently heading, writes Joe Carroll.
The body of one person was also picked up about 180 miles south of Key West. Cuban authorities had earlier notified US officials about the hijack of a Soviet-built Antonov aircraft after it took off from the western province of Pinar del Rio. But US officials said it was possible that the pilot and passengers were trying to escape from Cuba.
US Coast Guard vessels and helicopters were sent to the area where the aircraft was said to have come down, probably short of fuel. Several hours later a merchant ship, Chios Dream, reported it had picked up 10 persons from the sea, one of whom was dead. The US Coast Guard had earlier said that up to 18 people could have been on board.
Havana air traffic control notified its Miami counterpart at 1.45 p.m. Irish time that the aircraft had been hijacked and was apparently heading for Florida. It was said to be a crop-duster aircraft used for agricultural purposes.