Maltese authorities identify two Moroccans who escaped plane after emergency landing

Maltese authorities have identified two Moroccan nationals who escaped from a Turkish Airlines flight during an emergency landing on New Year's Eve, as reported by local media. The fugitives, named as Fouad El Sellah, 26, and Mohamed Lazaar, 43, were part of a group of five Moroccan passengers traveling on a flight from Istanbul to Marrakech. The group allegedly orchestrated a medical emergency on board, compelling the pilot to divert and land in Malta.

During the process of disembarking the supposedly ill passenger, the remaining four passengers seized the opportunity to open the aircraft's rear door, leap onto the runway, and scale the airport's perimeter fence. Authorities managed to apprehend two of the escapees a few hours later, subsequently deporting them to Morocco along with the passenger who feigned illness.

The search continues for El Sellah and Mohamed Lazaar. Police have released their photographs to the public and are soliciting assistance in locating the two men.