'The Hijacking of Flight 601' on Netflix: How armed assailants pressured Colombia to release 50 prisoners
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Netflix is set to add the new thriller drama series 'The Hijacking of Flight 601' to its rich streaming library from Wednesday, April 10.
The series, directed by CS Prince and Pablo González, recounts the true story of the longest aircraft hijacking in Latin American history at that time.
The series chronicles the gripping story of a highjack when two armed individuals took control of the plan, demanding $200,000 in ransom and the release of 50 political prisoners by the Colombian government.
What happened with the Flight 601?
The show depicts the true events of the takeover incident that occurred in Colombia on May 30, 1973.
There were 84 passengers on board SAM Colombia flight HK-1274. The mood inside the plan abruptly turned somber when the unexpected hijacking of the jet occurred between Pereira and Medellin.
The attackers initially used their firearms to seize control of the aircraft, later storming into the cockpit and threatening the captain.
Who were the Highjackers?
While there isn't much information available regarding the actual identities and names of the hijackers, it has been determined that the two individuals were former Paraguayan football players who posed as guerrillas to obtain the ransom and had no political affiliation.
Their goals were straightforward and obvious: they demanded substantial financial benefits and sought to safely leave the country.
How long does it take to diffuse the situation?
The passengers on board were understandably uneasy as the hijacking lasted for almost sixty hours, making it the longest of its kind at the time.
The negotiations between the hijackers and officials were contentious and drawn out, marked by apparent back-and-forth.
However, the painful ordeal ultimately came to an end when the assailants surrendered after considerable consideration.
Fortunately, no crew members or passengers suffered any injuries during the incident.
The highjackers were apprehended and subsequently suffered legal repercussions.
'The Hijacking of Flight 601' trailer