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Hijackers release 85 hostages from Afghan airliner; talks continue
LONDON (CNN) -- Hijackers early Thursday released 85 hostages held aboard the Afghan airliner at London's Stansted airport. Negotiations continued for the freedom of the approximately 65 passengers still aboard.
"Talks are continuing with people aboard the craft to secure the release of the remaining passengers and crew," Essex police spokesman Joe Edwards told a news conference.
"I can't give you any further information about the released hostages ... The negotiations are also at a fairly critical stage," he added.
Philip Baum, editor of Aviation Security International, said the release of the hostages was an optimistic development, but suggested negotiations might slow down for awhile.
Numerous women and children were seen leaving the plane, later to be driven away in buses .
Some of those leaving the plane appeared to be holding their hands in the air, and the plane was surrounded by security forces.
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The end of the hijacking, shown by CNN's Peter Humi. (February 10)
Authorities said not all of the about 150 hostages had been released.
Three fire trucks and an armored security vehicle were seen standing by the side of the aircraft.
Earlier, two people got down from the back ramp of the aircraft, according to eyewitnesses, after the aircraft was cleaned and food and water provided to the hostages.
"Our primary aim is the passengers on board -- we will negotiate for however long it takes," Essex County police spokeswoman Helen Cook said early Thursday.
But signs of being confined for so long in such a small space were starting to show in little ways.
After four people came off the plane to pick up a shipment of supplies Wednesday afternoon, a man armed with a handgun took a walk around the aircraft with an unarmed second man, inspecting the exterior of the aircraft.
Correspondent Chris Burns contributed to this report