Shocking story behind British man who took selfie with a terrorist hijacker on a flight

A man made headlines back in 2016 when he decided to pose for a snap with an apparent plane hijacker.

The photo has since gone viral, and gone down in internet legend after Ben Innes decided it was a good idea to get a quick picture amid the panic on board.

But how did this come about?

The Brit was one of the passengers travelling on Egyptair flight MS181 from HBSE Airport, Alexandria, to Cairo Airport, when it was hijacked by a man who looked like he was wearing a suicide belt.

The plane was diverted to Cyprus after it was hijacked (BBC)

Luckily, no one was hurt and the flight was diverted to Larnaca airport, Cyprus, at the hijacker's request, with all 56 passengers, members of crew, and a member of the airline's security team safe.

Almost everyone was released upon landing, except for three passengers and four crew members.

Cypriot officials named the hijacker as Seif Eldin Mustafa, and Innes was one of the unlucky people forced to stay on board the plane.

It was here that he asked for a photo, but why did he do this?

During this time, negotiations were underway between officials and the alleged hijacker, and Innes wanted 'a chance to get a closer look' at the supposed explosive device.

26-year-old Innes was a health and safety auditor in the oil industry who lived in Aberdeen, and was onboard the plane for a further five hours.

Mustafa reportedly diverted the plane to see his ex-wife who lived in Cyprus.

In an interview with The Sun (via CBS), he admitted that it wasn't because he particularly wanted to commemorate the moment or that he was a fan of the person he asked to take a snap with, but partly because he wanted 'a chance to get a closer look' at the supposed explosive device.

The Brit continued: "After about half an hour at Larnaca I asked for a photo with him as we were sitting around waiting. I thought, 'why not?'

Innes lived to tell the tale (X/journo_paul)

"I just threw caution to the wind while trying to stay cheerful in the face of adversity. I figured if his bomb was real I’d nothing to lose anyway, so took a chance to get a closer look at it."

Innes explained he got one of the cabin crew to translate for him to ask the alleged hijacker if he could take a selfie.

"He just shrugged OK, so I stood by him and smiled for the camera while a stewardess did the snap," Innes says. "It has to be the best selfie ever."

Mustafa surrendered to authorities after the five-hour stand-off.

He was sentenced to life in prison by an Egyptian court in 2019, charged with intimidation and threats to seize a plane and abduct its passengers for a terrorist purpose.